Is it really possible to live without the sword? The answer of Jewish history

In the last two years, the same difficult question that causes discomfort arises again and again: will we live by the sword forever? This is a question that asks for a short, almost binary answer: yes or no. However, the Jewish, Israeli, and Middle Eastern reality does not allow for such a simple answer. Here, the literal meaning is not the main thing; the interpretation is the point. It is not just about what awaits us tomorrow morning, but what historical consciousness we are required to develop in order to exist, protect ourselves, and maintain our freedom over time.

A deep look at the heritage of the Jewish people and its history teaches that this is not just a random sequence of disasters, persecutions, and wars. Throughout history, the Jewish people have been an exception: small in number, but great in influence; scattered among nations, yet maintaining an identity; devoid of sovereignty for generations, yet refusing to disappear; ancient in its roots, and yet renewing, creating, debating, learning, and building.

This uniqueness inspires many, but it also arouses opposition, envy, and hatred. Sometimes it is envy of an educated, enterprising, and creative people. Sometimes these are ancient blood libels that return in modern attire. Sometimes it is religious, national, or ideological hatred. And sometimes it is simpler: there are those who find it difficult to accept the very existence of a free, sovereign, and self-confident Jewish people in the Land of Israel.

This can be seen clearly in the current reality as well. The world is changing, the language is changing, technology is changing, but fundamental phenomena recur. Once, Jews were accused of poisoning wells — today, lies are spread about them on social networks. Once, Jewish businesses were boycotted — today, there are attempts to isolate the State of Israel in international institutions, in academia, in culture, and in the economy. Once, hatred was presented as religion — today it can appear under the guise of morality, human rights, or political struggle. Not every criticism of Israel is antisemitism, of course, but not every antisemitism comes with a swastika. Sometimes it wears more "laundered" words.

To this is added geography. The Land of Israel is not only a historical and spiritual homeland — it is also an intercontinental junction, a strategic space with military, economic, and religious significance. Throughout thousands of years, the land was conquered again and again by empires and powers: Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Crusaders, Mamluks, Ottomans, and British. Everyone who sought to influence the Middle East, trade routes, the eastern basin of the Mediterranean, and regional centers of holiness looked here.

Therefore, anyone who tries to understand the hostility towards us only through a specific event misses the picture. The conflict is not just an argument about a border, an arrangement, or one leader or another. It has deeper layers: religion, identity, history, power, fanaticism, interests, and geography. It is possible and necessary to strive for arrangements, for reducing conflicts, and for a better life in the region. But one must not build a national perception on the assumption that all our enemies are motivated by misunderstanding alone, and that if we only explain ourselves well — the hatred will disappear.

This does not mean that we should despair. On the contrary. A sober consciousness is not pessimism — it is a condition for responsible hope. A people that does not understand its environment, that does not identify threats, that does not invest in security, education, economy, and social resilience — invites danger upon itself. But a people that recognizes reality, prepares for it, and believes in its power can also deal with heavy challenges.

I am not saying that we will live by the sword forever. I do not accept this fatality. The people of Israel are not destined to live only by their sword, and the State of Israel cannot be built only around war. We want life: families, creation, Torah, science, economy, culture, a thriving society, and a future for our children. The sword is not a vision; it is a necessary means of defense in a reality where there are those who seek to harm us.

But precisely because we seek life, we must not be naive. When you are prominent, successful, unique, and loyal to your identity — you may also arouse the less good sides of humanity. Therefore, a consciousness of responsibility is required of us: to be aware, to be prepared, to be cunning in the positive sense of the word, and to know how to distinguish between wishful thinking and reality.

My conclusion is that we will not live by the sword forever. But we will always be required to protect ourselves, our identity, and our ability to defend our home. With sobriety, with unity, and with deep faith in the righteousness of the path.