Peace is an illusive thing, seldom obtained by societies throughout human history, yet constantly sought for. Solomon’s Kingdom, Pax Romana, and even Pax Americana post Second World War all have their shares of ups and downs, and yet each in their times made the dream a reality for their respective societies using a common tool, they achieved peace through strength. That fleeting “Tierra Prometida,” a Holy Land uncharted by most, yet coveted by all. But the root of global conflict is often overlooked, ignored by the whims and agendas of the masses, namely, the natural right to simply EXIST. I exist, therefore I must fight to protect my existence, and that of all whom I love. If others feel differently, and for some reason justify in their minds that I or those I love do not deserve to enjoy that right, then I am compelled to fight not because I want to, but because I have no other choice, for I love my life and the lives of all those around me.

I am the child of immigrants, exiled from their homelands, forced by war and tyranny to venture into the unknown and find new lives for themselves. Each fighting to maintain their existence and that of their families in a land not so much their own, far from home. Although they would come to call it such, they never ceased to look back fondly and longingly towards their respective homelands. The story of the Jews is the story of immigrants, exiles, vagabonds forced to leave their ancient homeland, and for millennia wander from nation to nation, never letting their children forget who they were or where we came from. And in the rare cases we did forget, Divine providence and genetic roots were always there to remind us. Theirs is the story of humanity, the story of all who have found themselves homeless, and forced to fight to maintain their very existence against all odds amidst a long and dark exile full of turmoil, we fought to keep the eternal flame alive. The nations may rage against us, even torture and murder some of us, but they can never snuff out our light, for light never dies, and certainly not the light of Israel.

We are far from perfect; us as well as our fathers. None is blameless but the One from whom all life flows, and to whom all must one day return. And at times, when our enemies sought to annihilate us by any means necessary, we have resorted to fight just as brutally and mercilessly as they did, or perhaps far worse. We will not seek to justify our actions, nor do we apologize for them. We did what we had to do to defend our right to live and exist in the Promised Land of our ancestors, at a time when no other nation on Earth would have us. We did not steal or conquer a foreign land and subdue its inhabitants under our rule, instead we fought for our homeland, and subdued those who sought to subdue us, destroyed those who meant to destroy us. Therefore we and our children are alive today, and our existence continues, despite our enemies cursing us and raging against our women and children. WE EXIST, that should be enough for our enemies to realize we deserve to exist, enough for them to let us be, as we have constantly attempted to let them be throughout our history. WE EXIST and therefore we fight and will continue to fight so long as that existence is threatened. It is the right of every culture and people, every tribe and tongue to exist and live freely in their ancestral land, yes, even our enemies. But they seek an existence without ours, a future where our people and culture have been wiped from the face of the Earth. We are not about to sit by and simply let that happen.

I have not written on this blog in so long, since October 7th, 2023 the air has been knocked out of me. I have been immersed in a pool of blood, and have been reborn a different person. I have witnessed the decadence of peace and the horrors of war. I still believe in and hold on to all the values I have written of for years on this blog, in fact those beliefs have since been reinforced thanks to the violence of our Arab cousins, and the courage of our brothers and sisters. Some may seek to justify their actions, citing Israel’s alleged occupation. But how can a native people unjustly occupy their own land? No, ever since that demonic day, we no longer feel the necessity to constantly defend and justify ourselves. If you think we are villains, so be it, if you think we are monstrous inhuman devils, so be it! We will be whatever you want us to be. But we are done explaining our right to exist! No words are left within our souls, no catchy phrases or political excuses. No, all that is left is us versus them, our enemies, and our guns, their relentless hate for us, and our relentless will to live, the simple right to EXIST! I therefore present to all of you the same choice God spoke to Moses and placed before the children of Israel in our Torah. I present to you this day life or death, the blessing, or the curse. We urge you to choose life, but know we are ready to deliver death if you leave us no choice. And we are ready to die in defense of our people and our nation. The nation of Israel has a natural right to exist and live freely from the River to the Sea, and we are ready to fight for that vision and beyond! The descendants of the Maccabees are willing to fight until kingdom come if necessary! Perhaps then the world will respect our right to EXIST. Happy Hanukkah!