Dead Lead

Everyone I know seems to be full of self righteous enthusiasm for this war. The government is acting like a parent giving it to a recalcitrant child. "I'm going to show them....ground them for life Make them into minced meat etc." Of course the idea of a permament, dare I say it final solution for the naughty Gaza strip Arabs is very appealing considering they way they have been treating us , but the whole thing is fundamentally wrongheaded.
We Jews don't do force well. That is the path of Esau and Ismael, not us. Look back over our history recent and ancient. Our brief shining moments of victory in 48 and 67 were the only moments and and also Purim miracle, the brief Maccabean victory were preceded by a recognition of our own powerlessness and a fervent appeal to G-d. Even during the Gulf War there was more of a spiritual feeling in the air than there is today.
From what I can see, Operation Cast Lead is being conducted by Zionists who still suffer from the post 67 swelled head syndrome. When I hear our leaders over the radio I sense an overflow of bombastry and bluster which is why , I expect that this campaign will ultimately and tragically fail. Sadly, our aggression is just making our enemies even stronger as the entire Arab world rallies round the poor victims of "Israeli aggression." I'm not saying that we should'nt defend ourselves, but in doing so we shouldn't forget that we are Jews. Whatever steps we take whether it be military action or quiet diplomacy we must always take our cue from Joseph, whom the bible calls a Tzaddiq a righteous person because the name of G-d was always on his lips. Interestingly he is also known as an "Ish Matzliah," a successful person because that ultimate humility creates a space for G-d to bless his efforts with success. If we want to succeed in this one, we've got to follow his lead admit powerlessness, and to turn this over to G-d.