As the song indicates (in its original version) Israel has been attacked, throughout history, by many nations (each of the "actors" in the song stands for a nation who attempted to destroy us). It's sad, but an irrefutable truth that, no matter how they try to refute the truth, it is demonstrably true in the historical record, and so far "BH" they have been unsuccessful. I think that Chava has it right when she adopts the image of the "aggressive actor". It is sad, particularly in this modern era when we think of ourselves as enlightened beings, that in order to assure (hopefully) our survival, we need to adopt the persona of the aggressor. Chag Kasher v'Sameach.
It is a shame Chava Alberstein’s rendition of self-criticism is consistently exploited by the Left. They automatically go to “Israel is the aggressor” rather than “Israel is caught in a viscous cycle”, while ignoring radical Palestinianism, its supporters and their active agency in the cycle.
The mixed Arab and Jewish rendition changes the criticism from one party to a collective "we". Thank you for sharing this version.
As the song indicates (in its original version) Israel has been attacked, throughout history, by many nations (each of the "actors" in the song stands for a nation who attempted to destroy us). It's sad, but an irrefutable truth that, no matter how they try to refute the truth, it is demonstrably true in the historical record, and so far "BH" they have been unsuccessful. I think that Chava has it right when she adopts the image of the "aggressive actor". It is sad, particularly in this modern era when we think of ourselves as enlightened beings, that in order to assure (hopefully) our survival, we need to adopt the persona of the aggressor. Chag Kasher v'Sameach.
It is a shame Chava Alberstein’s rendition of self-criticism is consistently exploited by the Left. They automatically go to “Israel is the aggressor” rather than “Israel is caught in a viscous cycle”, while ignoring radical Palestinianism, its supporters and their active agency in the cycle.
The mixed Arab and Jewish rendition changes the criticism from one party to a collective "we". Thank you for sharing this version.
Kol hakavod!
Indeed! When will this madness end?
Ivor
Wonderful piece on Chad Gadya. Actually, all your articles/podcasts are wonderful. Alvin