Monday 9 November 2015

I am "Chutzpah"







                                                                             







Recently, I have been writing much about and expressing my views on the subject of Judaism and Zionism.


I have been claiming that in my view and the view of others, who I value immensely, only Jews can be Zionists. We based it on sources, Jewish ones, old and modern.  Furthermore, we proposed that as much as we appreciate and are grateful for the love and support of the Zionist cause by non-Jews, that the latter respect the term “Zionist” as Jewish and reserved to Jews only and, therefore, call themselves “Pro-Zionists,” “Pro-Israeli” or “Pro-Jewish.” Yes, it was our view which in a democratic society, as long as it does not call for the hatred and killing of others, should be perfectly acceptable.

For some odd reason, very odd reason, might I add, our views were perceived as threatening by some. These insist on being called nothing short of “Zionists” (not Pro-Zionist, not Pro-Israeli or Pro-Jewish!) or else, they will no longer support the Zionist cause.

Moreover, many of our own Jewish people attacked us, reproved us and called us names (some of which I will spare the readers). I will, though, share one with you. I was told, by some, that for me to express such views is “Chutzpah.” I was especially offended because it came from people I highly respect.

But as they say, “every storm has a silver lining.” The silver lining, in this instance, was highlighted to me by my brilliant and very dear close friend Roger Froikin, who shares my views on the subject. He wrote to me asking,

And what is wrong with ‘Chutzpah?’ Without it, our people would have died out 2000 years ago.”

Roger’s words were balm to my heart. They made me realize that I have actually been accused of the "crime" of wanting my people to survive at least another two thousand years!

I could live with a "Crime" like that!

What a Blessing! What an Honour and what a Bliss!

Happy Tuesday,
"פעמיים כי טוב"  every one!

13 comments:

  1. In the highly acclaimed Jewish dictionary's ( Yiddish and Hebrew versions ( under Chutzpah " is a picture of a beautiful women , named Bat - Zion Suskind- Sacks . AD

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  2. Like it. It's like my own.....

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  3. Like it. Seems liker my own thought.....

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  4. BatZi, my Friend, we should ALL be endowed with such Chutzpah! Those who criticise really don't understand - and what Roger says is so true!

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    1. Thank you, Lynne <3 Roger's words are indeed true. And frankly anyone who cannot accept and learn to respect what is ours and more importantly feels offended by our request, I need to ask them, are you really friends? After all, it is not like i have asked them to remove the word "Zionist" from their so well earned title, all I asked is that they add the word "pro" in front of it. Is the word "Pro" a curse word?

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  6. I would take this a step further. I would call only Jews who actually live on the land as "Zionists." How can a Jew who lives in the diaspora call himself a Zionist? By the definition of the term you need to be "there" not "here" or as the case maybe "here" not "there."
    Given that I live in the United States I have a confession to make. I cannot live up to my own beliefs. I am a Jew, I live in the Diaspora but when it comes up I call myself a "Zionist." Maybe its because like AD Gordon I live for the day when I will be able to make that move. Still trying to get there. twitter@hartsway. Hartnation.com

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  7. Larry, I disagree. As a Jew born into Judaism or one converting according to Halacha, you automatically get to be a Zionist regardless of whether they live in Israel or not. You are a member of a group that for over two thousand years prayed towards Jerusalem/Zion, expressed a hope around the Passover table to be in Jerusalem, the following year and remembered the sorrow that followed it the destruction of Jerusalem/Zion,and the sorrow that followed it at the height of our joy. No other people other than Jews practiced it. That is Zionism and it has been practiced for over 2000. What happened in the 19th century with Herzel and the "Zionist Movement" amounts to nothing more than "Political Zionism" a step needed to gain permission for Jews to enter the family of Nations (after all we, Jews, DO follow certain required procedures!) If some Jews prefer NOT to take advantage of their Zionist rights, it is their choice and it certainly does not mean that non-Jews can step into their shoes and assume that title in their place.

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    1. I am very relieved to hear you say that. I have been told for years from Israeli friends, "you can't really be Zionist without living there, being part of it on the land" I am ok with your explanation. I hope many other Israelis come to that same conclusion. Because since I was five year's old I have always been proud of the term and I have always felt that it completed my Judaism somehow. I would still like to get a consensus, but I really appreciate your view.

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    2. Larry, here is an article I wrote last year. Hope it reinforces for you what I tried to express in my last reply.
      http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/should-all-jews-move-to-israel/

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