Sometimes there is no "Other Hand"

As thinking, serious Jews we are willing to hear both sides of a story. We are comfortable with the idea that there are a multiplicity of possible opinions, solutions or approaches to any given situation or problem. We embrace the notions of "Eilu V'Eilu Divrei Elokim Chayim" ("this and that are both the words of a living God") and "Shivim Panim L'Torah" ("there are seventy faces to the Torah"). We are taught to be wary of positions that are myopic or unyielding. We remind ourselves often that no matter how convinced we are of our opinion, we should leave room for an alternate view (even if we think that view is flawed).

But then there are situations, problems and events in which there simply is no room for a multiplicity of  approaches to the situation.  My thoughts are on the unfolding situation in Israel: the rockets raining down on heavily populated civilian areas, already killing three innocents and injuring many more. The media coverage might make some believe that there are two legitimate sides to the story, but there's not. The facts are simple and straightforward. Israel has been under missile attack from the Gaza Strip for years. Israel would not be carrying out airstrikes and other defensive operations in Gaza if there were no missile batteries in Gaza aimed at innocent Israeli citizens.Israel has been and is under attack. Israel has been unbelievably patient and willing to bear rocket fire on its citizens for far too long. It's time for Israel to remove the threat to its citizens lives and welfare.  It really is that simple. There is no "other hand" or other side to the story. There is no competing narrative that deserves our attention or our consideration.

And so today we prayer for the safety of the citizens and soldiers of Israel with a greater degree of intensity. And as we do, we must also do what we can to support Israel- specifically do all that we can to correct the gross suggestion that there is somehow two sides to this story.There isn't: All thinking, peace loving people of good will should see this- without any "other hand". Those that espouse the notion that there is another side to the story are exposing their true feelings: that Israeli blood is cheap, that Israeli citizens do not have a right to live in peace, and that Israel has no right to exist.

Now is a great time to remind ourselves that sometimes there is no "other hand". Sometimes there is only one truth.