Things to Celebrate, Things to Mourn

It's the best of times, it's the worst of times

It’s the best of times, it’s the worst of times. On the one hand, our arch-enemy, the Iranian regime, is getting hammered by the combined might of Israel and the US, with their weapons manufacturing ability being destroyed, while their offensive missiles are being spread out over a range of countries rather than being fired solely at Israel. Whatever the shortcomings and drawbacks of the war, this is something amazingly beneficial that people do not adequately appreciate.

On the other hand, the missiles are relentless, there are soldiers dying in Lebanon, and the government of Israel is setting the country squarely on a path of collapse. The budget was just passed, granting billions to ensure that the rapidly growing charedi sector will be continue to be unable and unmotivated to be economically self-sufficient, will continue to drastically weaken the economy, and will continue to refuse to serve in the IDF. One secular Likud MK proudly declared that it’s entirely unnecessary for children to learn math and general studies.

The goverment’s transfer of many billions to the charedi sector included pulling a devious trick to fool the opposition into a last-minute vote for an item that, unbeknownst to them, added a further $255 million for charedi schools. Charedi representatives boasted about tricking the opposition into voting for something that they did not support. Ah, what ehrlechkeit! What a Kiddush Hashem!

The pictures of MKs from Likud, Religious Zionism and Otzma Yehudit celebrating are just mind-boggling. It is simply astonishing that so many people are so infatuated with having a few months of extra power that they do not grasp how devastatingly harmful this will end up being to all of us in the long run. Even the IDF Chief of Staff, appointed by Bibi himself, warns that the IDF is headed for disaster due to the manpower shortage alone - you can’t keep the reservists away from their jobs and lives forever.

And the economic problem is even worse. The transfer of billions to schools that do not teach general studies and yeshivos will bring economic collapse. And this in turn will be followed by military collapse, as you can’t fund a powerful army with a third-world economy.

It’s all so depressing that I don’t even know what to say. People want to be inspired, but I don’t have anything inspiring to offer. I’m desperate for some inspiration myself! All I can do is point out that things could rapidly turn around if the government changes in the next election, and urge everyone to campaign towards that result.

Meanwhile, for paid subscribers, here’s a special gift for Pesach!