Arafat is not only dead, he is really truly legally dead.
And whether or not one should rejoice is in question. (Courtesy of Arutz 7)
It seems as if I'm not the only one to debate this issue; many across Israel have been discussing this as well. There are two, seemingly conflicting phrases in Proverbs.
1."When the wicked perish, there is jubilation" (11,10)
2. "When your enemy falls, do not rejoice" (24, 17).
And this gets back to the cultural discussion I raised earlier here.
Words are not always easily translatable into another language. A word can have shades of meaning that is quite clear to those who are within that culture, but taken out of their milieu indicates something quite different.
Many times the Torah uses the word "enemy" or "hated" to indicate a personal relationship, and a comparative relationship. The thoughts of seveal Rabbi's (as discussed in the Arutz7 article) is that the "enemy" referred to in the second verse is more personal in nature: the next door neighbor whose children are always trampling one's petunias, the woman in your child's school who is always, subtly putting down your child will lifting up her own, the man who stole "your girl".
The phrase wasn't referring to the person who murdered and maimed and caused to be maimed many thousands of people---not only solilders, not only "settlers", not only Jews. He has caused the death of many thousands of people, including his own people. He will not have helped his "people" get their own country; if anything he has delayed such an event.
Let his legacy be a true one, and if some want to cheer his death, understand that they are cheering for the removal of evil in this world.
UPDATE: via the e-mails
Arafat's Legacy
Happy day! I feel like breaking into song.
Ding, dong, the witch is dead. The wicked witch is dead!
This is such wonderful news. It's like I woke up and the world is three degrees less evil.
Posted by: Jim at November 11, 2004 11:08 AMThat is HYSTERICAL, Jim. Last night when my husband and I looked at the CNN page that showed Arafat had died, we began singing that song. No lie. It's amusing to come here and find the same sentiment.
I can honestly say that last night's slumber was one of more peace. One tends to feel at least a little jubilance when they have just been given a bit more security.
Posted by: Linda at November 11, 2004 12:40 PMA Final Thought
Shakespeare once wrote that a coward dies a thousand deaths, but a hero dies but one.
Based on the alternating reports of his death and immediate denials, I assume he's died at least that and more.
Together again in Hell.
Some souls our prayers did not help.
Posted by: Lane at November 11, 2004 01:11 PMI really think he lingered on and on and on for his fear of facing what lie beyond this earthly life (which he so blatantly had no respect for).
Excellent post.
Posted by: aithne at November 11, 2004 02:38 PMTo paraphrase:
The evil men do live after them,
the good is oft interred with their bones"
Thus I fear "Arafat's Legacy" will live a long long time after the man himself is just a footnote in history. International Terror.
YBA
