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On Celebrating Independence

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Exploring the legacy of the rationalist Rishonim (medieval sages), and various other notes, by Rabbi Dr. Natan Slifkin, director of The Biblical Museum of Natural History in Beit Shemesh. The views are those of the author, not the institution.
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On Celebrating Independence

Natan Slifkin
Apr 29, 2020
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On Celebrating Independence

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A left-wing Zionist immigrant asked this week: "How do we celebrate independence at the cost of someone else’s freedom?"

I answered that question with a question: "How do we celebrate winning wars, when it comes at the cost of other people losing them?"

It's a choice between celebrating independence and mourning a massacre. I'll take the former.


UPDATE: Someone commented, Does the world really celebrate winning wars? My answer:

Times Square V-E Day Celebration NYC 1945 WWII Photo Print for Sale

 

Note: My point is not that Israel Independence Day is about celebrating the victory of the War of Independence (it isn't). My point is that such celebrations are about matters of very real importance to our survival as a nation.

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On Celebrating Independence

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