JEWISH DEFEATISM WATCH: One interesting nugget unearthed on today's Urban Nature Hike (and there were so many) was discovered when we arrived at a synagogue in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan. On the wall was a poster commemorating the upcoming Jewish holiday of Tisha B'Av (Tisha B'Av, for the Hebraically Challenged, is a holiday commerorating atrocities against the Jews throughout history, from the destruction of the two Temples to the Spanish Inquisition to the Holocaust- key events of which all occurred on the exact date- the 9th of Av- on the Jewish calendar.) The poster, in reference to current events, commented that nowadays, for Jews, "every day is Tisha B'Av."
Now, I realize that horrible things have been happening to Jews lately, both from the scourge of the resurgance of worldwide anti-Semitism and Islamo-fascist terrorism in the US and Israel. But the statement that "every day is Tisha B'Av" sounds like nothing more than an invitation for Jews to adopt a posture of permanent victimhood- bad idea. What Jews have worked to build through the years (and especially since the Holocaust and the establishment of the State of Israel) are among the great accomplishments of human history. Jews would be better off recognizing that we have come a long way since all of the events commemorated on Tisha B'Av- we have power now, we have strength now, and the best thing we can do is use that strength in order to overcome those who wish to hurt us. I know some are virtually programmed to turn anything and everything into a Holocaust analogy, as well as to always foresee another Holocaust right around the corner, but this goes deeper- yes, this is a difficult time for the Jewish people. But we'll be kicked out of no country and have no holy place destroyed. A spirited resolve and strong determination are the reason we will prevail- and wallowing in victimhood is most certainly not.