2 Friday, September 9, 1983
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
Purely Commentary
On the Road to Many Exciting Challenges
as 5744 Arrives at the Sound of the Shofar
By Philip
Slomovitz
Menahem Begin the Genius Who Led in State-Building and Prophecy Fulfillment
Menahem Begin was a name to be reckoned with. In all
probability, this will not be treated in the past tense. A man
who had "the guts," if a commonplace description can be
assigned in this instance, to battle the British, to oppose an
opposition in power in the nation he helped rebuild until he
himself gained that power, cannot be treated as "a mere
occurrence" in Jewish history. He helped shape history in
his lifetime and he must be treated as a creative force in
Jewish and world history, with all his faults fully ac-
counted for.
There is great and irrefutable genius in that name. He
was the natural successor to Vladimir Jabotinsky and like
him was subjected to many condemnations. Yet, it was
Jabotinsky who predicted Jewish 'statehood in a decade
exactly 10 years before that realization and it became a
reality. Like Jabotinsky, Begin was a builder, a creator,
leading toward state-making in the era of pre-Israel Pales-
tine and in the entire history of Israel the redeemed state.
In the bitterness of political hatreds, the opposition to
him -and his Likud party was vociferous. They disputed the
man who engineered a peace treaty, even if it is a minimal
one, and he had battles of words with the founding Prime
Minister of Israel David Ben-Gurion. There is name-
calling now as there was in the Ben-Gurion versus Begin
scuffles in and out of the Knesset. The fact remains: Begin
was the first Israeli political leader to be in an Arab country
in an official capacity, ending warfare between the two
countries even if the war of words continued afterward and
continues to this day. He did it and he earned the Nobel
Peace Prize in an atmosphere of being branded a terrorist.
At one time he had an explanation: Jews lived in "terror"
and remained "terrorized." History is to judge him, as it no
doubt will more cordially than the media who espoused a
bitterness toward him, so some Jews who in panic over
what was being reported and commented upon shared in a
hatred of this Man of Destiny.
His opponents may deny it: the fact is that the hatred
MENAHEM BEGIN
motivated agairist him is recorded in one of the most de-
spicable records of public prejudices.
Does a man of genius ever blunder? Begin has his
faults and he blundered. He was under pressure from the
extremest religious elements and his submission to regula-
tions that are prejudicial to Conservative and Reform Jews
are inexcusable. Was the Labor Party opposition free from
such errors? Because Labor, commencing with Ben-Gurion,
needed a coalition with the religious groups, it did not
abstain from giving comfort to such obstructionism.
It will be said, in criticism of Menahem Begin, that he
harmed Israel with his settlements policy. The Labor oppo-
sition can make claims to the contrary, but it was the leader
in establishing such settlements under its aegis. History
may indeed absolve Begin not only of blame but also of
blunders in that regard. In the course of time, perhaps
Arabs will bless him for assisting, through settlements, in
establishing an accord that will bring many benefits to the
now struggling, underprivileged Arabs.
There was, however, a great blunder and it is spelled
out as Lebanon. The original steps were a necessity. The
PLO had -to be uprooted. Going too far created the tragic
losses — a blunder which Begin himself may also admit in
the course of time.
The record of his life's work, the memory of all his
achievements are a blessing and must be treated as such.
The inevitable change of guard will take place. The
Israelis will speak and will make their choice of who is to
lead them. Hopefully, there won't be a devastatingly sharp
Ashkenazi-Sephardi divisiveness. In the long run, Israel's
choice will be the only response to those who keep criticiz-
ing, who have maligned and some who may continue to
malign the genius in Israel's history and politics who must
end his diplomatic-political career. It is the will of the
people of Israel and that will and spirit must dominate.
In this hour of judgment of a leader who calls it quits,
the world will learn to recognize anew that Israel emerged
into sovereignty after centuries of miserable treatments by
mankind and a Holocaust that horrifies the generations.
The rebirth of Israel is the great event in the history of
mankind that can never be devalued.
Jews especially, particularly those who are hateful at
the very mention of the Begin name, cannot overlook the
basic truism: the reborn nation of Israel emerged in de-
fiance of obstacles intended to deprive Jews of the right to
end hopelessness. The great miracle was achieved. The
nation lives. Menahem Begin had an important role in that
process. There is nothing else to match this glorious chap-
ter in history.
Confidence as a Guideline for 5744 — A Year Demanding Patience
It arrived! The New Year labeled 5744 flutters in and the first page of an anticipated
exciting calendar beckons for calm. It is certain to be all but calmness, yet all those who
benefit from experience and therefore seldom panic will be the strong who laugh at
adversity and flex muscles in defiance of adversity.
Because the inevitable is already apparent, it may well be that only the cynical will
be the most powerful.
A well-known drama critic of former years, George G. Nathan, had a definition for
cynicism when he commented on the play "Monks Are Monks" in 1929:
The cynicism that is born of defeat is pitiable and worthless. It is only the cynicism
that is born of success that is penetrating and valid."
That's it! It can be termed the price of power. It spells defiance of fear. It invites a
sense of realism amidst repeatable despair.
The realist may as well be prepared for the inevitable in 5744. He already has the
evidence of one certain resort to sensationalism rooted in speculation, in the approach to
the Presidential contest to occur in 5745. Get ready for rumor, the accusatory in the quest
for power, vitriolic exchanges, promises galore.
Oh, yes! There'll be lots of that: promises, promises, promises .. .
Then 5745 will be in full swing and nearly every promise will be weighed in the
balance, some will have been broken while uttered, and the naive will be left holding the
bag. It'll be only a partly-filled bag because even in the experience of promise-breaking
there are always the idealists who do not betray.
* * *
While the media will be speculating over Presidential -candidates, there will be
speculation over the speculators and the realists will know how to utilize brass tacks and
to resort to the most powerful weapon ever in the attainment of the much-sought vanity
of power: the ability to be patient.
In Ecclesiastes (7:8), there is a guiding admonition: "The patient in spirit is better
than the proud in spirit." One of the very great among the scholars of the Middle Ages,
Solomon Ibn Gabirol, advised, in 1050: "Through patience man can avert still great
trouble."
Most interesting of all, in consideration of the value of patience, is the definition
provided by Franz Kafka, the centennial of whose birth is currently being observed. In
his "Reflections, Dearest Father," published in 1954, Kafka wrote:
"There are two main human sins from which all others derive: impatience and
indolence."
Let this be a lesson for what becomes a necessity again in 5744, as it was through the
ages. Impatience is much more than a sin: it can be destructive. If ever patience was
needed it will be in the balance of 1983 and throughout 1984, because the Presidential
year will invite listening to the echoes of guilt-finding and evil accusations. The quest for
national leadership will introduce charges and countercharges. Already there is evi-
dence that Israelis will be drawn into the conflict with claimg of preferences for the
American candidates for the Presidency, as if Jews in foreign lands, including Israel,
have a right or a desire to be part of the political battle! — As if the sensible would ever
permit such intrusions into the American political scene by foreigners.
Meanwhile, the American Jew will be an inevitable and unavoidable factor in the
political battle. The realist will know that Jews do not vote as a unit, that his commu-
nityites are in both parties, that the preferences are for the candidates' considered
supporters of socially just causes, of civil rights, of Israel's rightful place in the American
league of friendly nations. There will be differing views, and accusations will fly over the
American political atmosphere endlessly.
With patience, only realism will survive the practical as well as the nonsensical.
* * *
The American political factor will not be an isolated experience. Israel will have a
role politically in the life ahead that is certain to be replete with excitement. Menahem
Begin remains on the scene and his opponents won't give up power without a battle.
Right or wrong, Begin and his party are in power. The issues revolving around them
are not totally domestic. They have been dragged into international considerations and
are speculatively part of the American political debate.
The decisions will be Israel's on all issues affecting that nation's needs and aspira-
tions. This does not mean that Diaspora Jewry has no right to offer advice: Much is
happening that calls for expression of sentiments for the betterment of Israel's position,
for the benefit of the Israelis, as a partnership with the Diaspora, in international
relations. While offering advice, registering protests over some regulations such as the
utifair religious dominations, the partnership is indestructible. It demands constant
strengthening.
On this score, only the viciously unwise and the power-seekers can destroy. In the
main, the unity in the Israel-Diaspora relationship remains the most vital factor in
Jewish life. Any harm to such a relationship must be considered intolerable.
* * *
Such are two of the main factors in a year which is now welcomed with deep interest
and not unconcernedly. Domestic factors cannot be ignored. The home scene for Ameri-
can Jews is filled with anxieties. Above all considerations of the social and political
factors in life, there are several problems that strike at the very root of Jewish existence.
The 'need for strengthened educational media is prior for Jews everywhere. A knowl-
edgeable Jewish community can, hopefully, avert the crises that stem from mixed
marriages and from indifference to Jewish needs. A well-informed community can and
should prevent the destructive elements, the handful of Jews who align themselves in
bitterness as the condemners of Israel and of Israel's supporters.
Will sufficient attention be given to these challenges this year and in the years
ahead?
The problems are known, the solutions are nbt easily attainable. Therefore, every
new year on the Jewish calendar is filled with increasing anxieties.
Everything listed demands serious treatment and confrontation. Singly and com-
bined, it could create tensions leading to panic. It is just this form of despair that must be
avoided. Only the fearless always survive. Only the patient are able to tackle serious
issues.
Cynicism may never be ruled out. As an approach to realism, it has a place in
pragmatic self-discipline.
Above all, the new era demands patience and an avoidance of despair. With such
qualities, no enemy can have substance. Therefore the emphasis on calmness and pa-
tience. They have been learned in Jewish experience. They exist and create strength.
With them the spirit that is Jewish dominates. That's the blessing with which 5744 is
welcomed on the Jewish scene. Much power goes to the symbols of such strength that
make for a confident Jewry.
* * *
Tough Man in the Lead: Hard Core in Succession
Yitzhak Shamir is the man who may henceforth be in the limelight as the "new
tough guy" of Israel. The choice of the Likud coalition headed by Menahem Begin, he is
probably the natural successor to a hard liner who has been the butt of many criticisms
that often bordered on abuses.
Indeed, now that the world has been apprised of the Begin successor as a leader with
roots in the old Stern Gang, the approach to him politically and by the media can be
anticipated. He will be a natural as a target for attack and as a leader treated with
suspicion.
The subsequent judgments will be tested primarily by the manner in which his
election will be judged and treated by world Jewry, primarily the Jews of this country.