Oct 12, 2010

Celebrating the terrorists assasination

Israel recently struck back and killed the terrorists that had killed the 4 Israelis from Bet Haggai, includes Yitzchak Imes and his wife.

Whenever Israel strikes terrorists, there is a certain pride that we feel. I don't know if all Jews feel it, or all Israelis, or in what percentages, but there is a certain pride that is palpable when such things happen.

In light of the "hit", someone asked Rav Bentzion Mutzafi if it is a mitzva, muttar, or assur to be happy and celebrate when Israel kills terrorists.

Rav Mutzafi's answer (on his Q&A page, #65492) is that it is a mitzva to celebrate as the Torah says, באבוד רשעים רינה - in the downfall of the wicked you should rejoice.

Practically he has not added anything, as everyone is already happy. Perhaps he is pointing out that this joy is not just national pride, but also fulfilling a mitzva. Regardless, the religious news websites are making a big deal about it.

6 comments:

  1. what about בנפל אויבך אל תשמח?

    ReplyDelete
  2. If I remember correctly, that pasuk is referring to Jews.

    ReplyDelete
  3. OK, then I'll quote the midrash of מעשי ידי טובעים בים ואתם אומרים שירה. That's why we don't say full hallel on the last days of Pesach. Are we no better than those who celebrated in the streets of Arab towns when the scuds flew overhead? Or on 9/11?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anon,

    We're much better. We're not celebrating the deaths of innocents. We're celebrating the deaths of those who murdered our brothers and would do it again had they not been killed.

    Concerning the Medrash, you're ignoring the fact that the quote was said to the malachim. Bnei Yisrael were allowed to say shira. In fact, we recite that very shira every day. The reason we don't say full hallel on the last days of pesach has to do with korbanot. The "ma'asei yadai" reason is a nice post facto explanation, but it is not the main reason.

    BTW, your moral equivalancy is so five years ago. If you're going to push a left-wing agenda, at least use some form of intellectual dishonesty that's currently in vouge.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Even I'm embarrassed that people like "anonymous" are Jewish.

    ReplyDelete
  6. The Bible reports G-d's orders to kill our enemies, and when it comes to Amalek, King Saul was supposed to execute the entire clan.

    ReplyDelete