God, Not The IDF, Not The Iron Dome, Is Saving Israel From Hamas Rockets Haredi Columnist Says

The haredi columnist ‘quotes’ a nonexistent CNN interview with a Hamas representative in which that Hamas representative allegedly claimed that Hamas rockets are extremely accurate and that “80%” of the rockets Hamas fires are diverted to uninhabited areas by the god of Jews and cites this as proof that God – not the Iron Dome, not the IDF – is really saving Israel from harm.

 

Editorial: God, Not The IDF, Not The Iron Dome, Is Saving Israel From Hamas Rockets Haredi Columnist Says
Shmarya Rosenberg • FailedMessiah.com

Marty Bluke reports that haredi columnist Chain Cohen wrote a column on the haredi news website Kikar HaShabbat about Israel’s US-funded Iron Dome missile defense system.

Cohen doesn’t like all the widespread praise for the anti-missile system, which has shot down many rockets and missile fired from Gaza at Israeli population centers.

Why?

Because, Cohen insists, the Iron Dome isn’t really saving Jews from harm.

Instead, Cohen insists that it is the merit of haredi Torah learning and fulfillment of mitzvot (Torah commandments) that causes God to save us from harm. The Iron Dome in Cohen’s mind is essentially superfluous.

Cohen ‘quotes’ a nonexistent CNN interview with a Hamas representative in which that Hamas representative allegedly claimed that Hamas rockets are extremely accurate and that “80%” of the rockets Hamas fires are diverted to uninhabited areas by the god of Jews.

In other words, Cohen either made up that CNN interview out of whole cloth or someone else did and Cohen – evidently no rocket scientist himself – believed it or knowingly chose to spread a lie.

The premise of Cohen’s ridiculous and offensive column is to justify haredi refusal to serve in the IDF and help protect Israel and to justify haredi refusal to properly educate their children in math and science (or in any other secular subjects, for that matter) so they could actually contribute to the country economically and, in some cases, militarily by developing high tech defense systems.

Cohen and his ilk – which, sadly, includes pretty much every haredi rabbi of note in the country and many outside it – can’t acknowledge that it is the blood, sweat, money and tears of non-haredi Israelis that defends the country and allows space for haredim to live in their own Dark Age.

It is overwhelmingly non-haredi Israelis who are risking – and, sadly, sometimes giving – their lives in Gaza, just as it is overwhelmingly non-haredi Israelis who pay the taxes that fund the various welfare programs and stipends that most haredim choose to live off of.

The burden of protecting life and the burden of paying for everything from the roads, the buses, the welfare, the hospitals, the schools and the IDF itself rests disproportionately and almost exclusively on non-haredim.

Cohen cannot admit this, not because the facts are wrong but because admitting it would make his bizarre haredi theological world collapse around him, and he can’t have that. The cognitive dissonance is too great.

So he adopts the insane haredi notion that haredi Torah study and mitzvot are the reason any of this technology works. It’s also the only reason the IDF is successful.

The Iron Dome? IDF training? The Mossad and Shin Bet operatives who risk their lives to gather intelligence?

Without haredi Torah study and mitzvot, in Cohen’s mind and in the mind of haredi rabbi, all those things would amount to nothing.

In that way, haredim become the true protecters of Israel because they are the true soldiers of God.

The problem is, besides all of the evident logical problems with this theology, the Torah supports none of this.

In the Torah’s mind, every male of military age, scholar or not, goes out to war when the country is threatened. There are no yeshiva exemptions in the Torah, no preferences given to men with dusty black hats and shiny pants seats.

Indeed, the haredi theology of their importance to protecting Jews is essentially made up out of whole cloth by haredi rabbis.

Cohen is a highly offensive person who previously wrote a column blaming the kidnapping and eventual murder of the three Israeli teens on the West Bank in June on the government’s reduction in funding to haredi yeshivas.

This is the insanity haredi media feeds haredim.

At any rate, lets test this haredi theology. Let Israel transfer every haredi man to Sederot in southern Israel near the Gaza Strip, and transfer all non haredim out of the city.

Then, remove the Iron Dome used to protect it.

If haredi Torah study and mitzvot are the key to protecting Israel, and if God diverted 80% of Hamas’ rockets (how did he miss the other 20%? not enough Torah study to keep Him awake?), haredim Sederot should be perfectly safe while the non-haredi slackers outside the city should be in big trouble.

We’ve already had a version of this test, though.

When Hamas rocket fire on the south increased two weeks ago, haredi yeshivas and their students fled north.

Zionist Orthodox yeshivas, however, stayed put in the south as did almost every other resident.

This special haredi-induced divine protection only seems to work – if it works at all – after everyone else risks their lives, works their tails off and spends huge amounts of money. And even then, the minute things get tough, haredim run away.

Haven’t we all had enough, already?

Isn’t it time to say that haredism is not Judaism and cut these ungrateful, hateful and selfish people off from the Jewish people?

There are many who argue that it is long past the time we should have done so, and frankly, I’m beginning to agree.

Comments

[Alter Kocker]

So lets experiment. Deactivate the Iron dome and rush Haredi Yeshiva Bochurs to stand at the intended site and daven. Wonder what will happen?

[Eliwexler]

What would you have said when saddam fired rockets during the Gulf Gulf war and miraculously without any iron domes and only dysfunctional patriot missiles only one person was killed??? What you have said then????? (I'm sure you would have found something)

[hbshmoe]

Yeh. Those good for nothing chareidim just waste their time and live of the fat of the land! Oh wait: https://fbcdn-video-a.akamaihd.net/hvideo-ak-xpf1/v/t42.1790-2/10562160_10152301119427659_709441521_n.mp4?oh=45379b07b46e3cb80ac37ad82495b988&oe=53CD5A05&__gda__=1405967185_260c027c910b1097ee38bd0e5a4ef3bb
And in fact both the author you quote and you are both just as far off base. The "chilonim" are Jews who are meleim mitzvos carimon too. The collective torah and mitzvos of all Jews (and the chareidim ate major contributors there) protect all Jews who go to battle.

[Account Deleted]

How about this for a party line:

We thank G-D for his protection, We thank the brave and good IDF soldiers who are risking everything to keep us safe. We express limitless gratitude to the State for their tireless efforts to restore peace and tranquility to our beloved land. We wish only the best for the peaceful men, women, and children in Gaza who may also be victims of the violent thugs who prefer war to peaceful and respectful co-existence."

Practice some common sense and respect, Rabbi.

[ah-pee-chorus]

EXCELLENT and well written.

Yes. It is time.

[RWisler]

God has blessed Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia for their Islamic beliefs and has caused those blessed lands to experience riches beyond belief due to God's blessing them with petroleum. God has blessed ISIS for their battles to conquer Syria and Iraq because of their Orthodox Islamic beliefs. Every jingoistic idiot claims that "God has blessed them" in times of conflict. Bullshit!

[Shmarya]

hbshmoe –

You linked to a video of ZIONIST ORTHODOX IDF soldiers from a hesder combat unit.

How does that in any way disprove or contradicts what I wrote?

[Allan]

This is the standard haredi “magical thinking” of ascribing a divine cause to phenomena long after a natural non-miraculous explanation is known and understood by the whole world. A few examples I’ve heard ...

a)Food does not keep us alive because of its calories and nutrients but because of the “life force” that God put inside it.
b)Sleep does not refresh us because of biochemical changes in the brain but because God took our soul up to heaven and “cleaned” it, returning it to us charged up for a new day.
c)Babies do not develop in the womb because their DNA directs the processes of cell division and specialization but because God himself “forms” us there.
d)Hamas rockets do not miss their targets not because human beings occupy much less space than the empty land area and because of sirens and bomb shelters. The true cause is God subtly manipulating the air currents and laws of physics to push the rockets off course.

It does no good to point out the physical non-miraculous explanations for things. In the haredi mind God made nature in such a way that he is hidden and nature only SEEMS to run by itself. That is how those naïve scientists are fooled into their superficial explanations while Torah scholars known that God, like the Wizard of Oz, is hidden away behind a curtain pulling all the levers and “nothing happens by accident.”

[Maskil]

Aviner: Whether or not this was said, this isn't how it works.";

http://www.srugim.co.il/83312-%D7%94%D7%90%D7%9D-%D7%94-%D7%9E%D7%A1%D7%99%D7%98-%D7%90%D7%AA-%D7%94%D7%98%D7%99%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%9C%D7%A9%D7%98%D7%97%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%A4%D7%AA%D7%95%D7%97%D7%99%D7%9D

http://www.mywesternwall.net/2014/07/20/fake-news-article-their-god-changes-the-path-of-our-rockets-in-mid-air-said-a-terrorist.html

[jancsibacsi]

Just when i thought it cannot get sicker it does.

[Maskil]

The Iron Dome isn’t really saving Jews from harm!

I can site at least five articles (in Hebrew) from experts, and Israel's comptroller, that the data is incomplete and that the iron dome is a farce. It doest even hit 50% of intended rockets, and the damage caused by its own missiles is greater than the Hamas rockets. It's not a conspiracy, people just desperately want to believe in it. Experts and a comptroller, with actual verifiable data, not an IDF spokesman sporting claims to sedate the masses.

Games simply doesn't have the technology to direct their missiles to precise targets, but Israel does NOT possess superior anti ballistic technology.

[Maskil]

http://www.haaretz.co.il/1.1964285

http://www.haaretz.co.il/1.1979306

http://www.mako.co.il/pzm-magazine/Article-d2acf55255c8d31006.htm

http://www.thepost.co.il/news/new.aspx?pn6Vq=E&0r9VQ=IELI

http://www.holesinthenet.co.il/holesinthenet-media-story-37593

[Maskil]

Freaking adorable:

http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=268231180035111&id=100005446931199

[smoke & mirrors]

That's like my DT daughter... She married his Haredi guy. Guy never worked a day in his life. Hangs out in Kollel every day. When I ask my daughter how will they get by financially, she says Moshe, her husband says "Hashem will provide". Stupid boy... He thinks I'm god

[Maskil]

Shmarya, are you going to issue a correction/update that the article was indeed published by the "British Telegraph"?

(I linked to it above, in my first post, after Aviner's disclaimer/clarification)

[hbshmoe]

I am not into labels. I Jews, many of them (probably more than ever before) with kipot. But if you must, the three soldiers who I recognized are Chabad. These are yidden shomrei torah and mitzvot each to his own level heading out to war with Simcha and bitachon it is in the zchut of their mitzvot and those of all klal yisroel, their Simcha and their bitachon that they will be matzliach. Drop the label war and recriminations. We are in this together. We need each other along with what each brings to the table. Neither you nor Cohen have a right to exclude or condemn any portion of the population; especially now. This is a time to stand as one! http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ApAUVSNs7Zg

[Jeff]

That world is like North Korea - a completely insane parallel reality.

[Shmarya]

hbshmoe –

No, you're not "into labels" – you're into lying.

Stop your BS and your lies or I'll ban you.

It is a Zionist Orthodox hesder unit. It is NOT haredi.

Now process: a very disproportionate number of non-haredim are fighting and dying in Gaza while your haredi buddies are drinking tea and shining their pants' seats in haredi yeshivas.

And the proper response to this is to cut you all off, throw you out of the Jewish people and out out of Israel.

Go live in Ukraine, Poland and Hungary, Lithuania and Belarus.

[Shmarya]

Maskil –

The 'source' is a Manchester, England haredi paper. It cites no actual source and appears to be repeating a rumor.

[Jekyll Jacobson]

...and Shmarya go get a real job and be a productive citizen in the country you live in.

[idfvet]

I saw it quoted in this past weeks hamodia and knew that it didnt sound right.

[hbshmoe]

Wow Shmarya. Go for it. I'd consider it a badge of honor to be banned by someone so full of hate as you! I am not sure what part of what I wrote struck a nerve. In neither post did I say it was chareidi. It is sad that labels are so important to you; especially at a time when most Jews are looking for what brings us together. Have a nice life and a speedy recovery.

[Jekyll Jacobson]

אם ה׳ לא ישמר עיר שוא שקד שומר. The columnist speaks the truth you don't like to hear. You prefer the כחי ועוצם ידי of mortals.

[ah-pee-chorus]

Allan-

I loved reading that.

[MM]

Sodom at the door
Nineveh with garments torn
Jacob wrestling
Moses with arms raised
A voice in Ramah
The Matzah broken
The Dry Valley
The Living Water
Hosea with fruit on His lips

Have Mercy O Lord, for we are a people of unclean lips. Save us and let us return to you in perfect repentance.

[Marty Bluke]

Maskil,

If you read the original article in Kikar Shabbat the author claims that this was said in an interview on CNN, that is clearly a made up story and a lie. The fact that a Haredi newspaper somewhere also published this "fact" is completely irrelevant. It is patently clear that this is the type of story that Haredim would make up, a member of Hamas would never say such a thing, after all they are fighting a religious war and believe that Allah is on their side.

[Shmuel]

The story was made up and dispersed through Whatsapp. The chareidi community in Israel is extremely dependent upon and actively participates in Whatsapp groups, and therefore the story spread very quickly in this sector. I actually heard of the "CNN" story from a dati leumi Rabbi, so it is not limited to one group.

The chareidi leadership is not happy with the Whatsapp phenomenon, since there is absolutely no control/filter over the information sent through these channels (which indeed sometimes includes both inappropriate and false information). However, it is so widespread that they will have a hard time stopping it in any way.

[MosheCohen]

Shmarya, you probably know I'm not always one of your biggest fans.

But this piece was excellent. Brilliantly written.

BTW Natan Slifkin raises a lot of the same points as you over on his blog rationalistjudaism

[Maskil]

Posted by: Marty Bluke | July 21, 2014 at 11:27 PM

I just noted there was an actual article. I also cited Aviner, who cast his own doubts on whether that was actually said, and dispelled Cohen's analysis.

My initial reaction was: Who talks like this nowadays? "Our God ... their God"? It frightens me that this could have any credibility in 2014, especially from a Muslim. I had serious reservations about this. And I mean, I was sure it wasn't said and that if it was it was more shocking than amusing. Monotheists don't talk this way (anymore), and the Jewish and Arab populations in Israel have a very common mindset - more than most would like to admit.

[Maskil]

I also applaud Shmarya's article. I didn't realize that this was being "received" by the Haredi community. Shmarya does an excellent job at responding to this line of thought (just that he should know that it's not our superior technology, but Hamas's inferior technology that leads to so many failed rocket hits).

Beautiful article!

[Grey, Atlanta]

I heard this same story of a Hamas operative being interviewed by an African newspaper, in which he was supposedly quoted saying that Hamas was aiming at Israeli cities, but the God of the Jews was diverting the rockets into open fields.

This interview may have actually taken place. The person I heard this from is a US intelligence government contractor (retired US Air Force colonel), who supposedly read this story himself in this African newspaper. Of course, that newspaper may have quoted a non-existent CNN interview - that I don't know. Either way, it's a great story if Hamas operatives really believe that.

I don't think Haredi no-goodicks have anything to do with this, but if God has given wisdom to the Israeli scientists (secular or religious) to invent such an effective missile-defense system that shoots virtually 100% of missiles that it is targeting, and is able to make accurate judgements on whether or not to target the remaining missiles based on where their trajectory will take them, we should all pray to God for helping Israel acquire such an amazing system, which is an absolute game changer in this conflict. Without Iron Dome, there would have been hundreds of Israelis dead from the missile strikes..

No other nation in the world has been able to create a system as effective as Iron Dome. I don't think its invention was completely devoid of the Devine Intervention, similar to Israeli victory in the Six Day War, which is heard to explain without bringing God into the picture.

[aron]

whether you like it or not , the charedim are growing so fast. Very fast! Soon the heretics like are you are going to be a tiny minority among the Jewish people