Red Hearts; Black Guns

This blog will always reflect the honest opinion of the author. The political position of "The Shunam Shindig" is to research multiple perspectives and be open-minded, yet skeptic. Our mission is to demonstrate an endless curiosity in pursuit of knowledge.

This is a photo of Israeli soldiers home on leave.  They candidly shared their experiences and opinions.  Proud of their contribution,  they disagree with a mandatory draft.  Although they rejected the ultra orthodox lifestyle,  Jews who devote their lives to studying Torah also contribute to Judaism and to society,  and either way,  it is an issue of freedom of religion.  In different units,  they shared that a soldier who wants to be religious,  can be,  but with great effort and sacrifice.  Additionally,  being in the at poses a great challenge to religious observance.  If someone does not want to serve,  they should not be forced to do so.  However,  while they did not demand respect or approval for their choices,  they did wish ultra orthodox would grant them the same courtesy. 

The conversation originally started on the issue of guns in Israel.  Although they had not heard of the term "the 2nd amendment"  they agreed that guns in the hands ds of good people is a smart plan in any country,  but crucial in Israel where the threat of being stabbed or terrorized is everywhere and enemies surround us.  The gravity and responsibility of carrying a gun was mentioned.  This is a killing machine,  that is what it was created for that is what it does.  They use it to kill,  we use it to protect,  but in the end of the day it is a dangerous weapon.

Small tidbit I did not know is that soldiers return their rifle when they come to their service,  so most civilians carry pistols and handguns.  When you see a rifle in the street it would usually be a soldier,  if he is not in uniform,  he is presumably on a weekend leave,  as these young men were.