Israeli Kibbutz Rabbi Urges Deep Faith and Resilience to Overcome Ongoing Conflict

Rabbi Akiva Zuckerman of Kibbutz Ein Hanatziv reflects on the prolonged war's toll on Israeli reservists, their families, northern residents, business owners, and the education system. He questions the promised "absolute victory" and acknowledges the heavy price paid amid ongoing uncertainty, noting the difficulty in believing assurances that a little more effort will topple Hamas, change Iran's regime, and restore normal life.

Zuckerman shares his personal struggles and those of his students adapting to remote learning during the conflict, with the constant fear of renewed fighting and potential recall to reserve duty. He criticizes Israel's partial understanding of its enemies, emphasizing that Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran act from deep religious conviction rather than conventional cost-benefit calculations. "They love death, we love life," he states, highlighting the enemy's willingness to sacrifice homes, power, and lives for their goals.

He warns against the mistaken belief that each wave of suffering will break the enemy's spirit, comparing the situation to the biblical Exodus story where Pharaoh hardened his heart despite severe plagues. This, he says, teaches a crucial lesson about evil's persistence when driven by ideology.

Rabbi Zuckerman argues that Israeli society needs a stronger foundation beyond freedom and democracy, rooted in faith in God, human dignity, justice, and righteousness. He concludes that victory will not come from promises of a swift war or total triumph but through spiritual resilience and a deep belief in goodness, coupled with readiness to endure a long, painful struggle for a noble cause.