A Lesson In Patriotism
By Michael Freund-Jerusalem Post

(September 21) - Since Tuesday of last week, I have been glued to the television set, intensely following the latest developments in the aftermath of the horrifying acts of terror in New York and Washington. Like Americans everywhere, I am stunned, unable to fathom the extent of the destruction. So many lives lost, so many hopes and dreams shattered. It is a devastating blow, one whose impact will no doubt be felt for decades to come.

I cannot help but wonder: how is it possible for a human being to do such things? How does a terrorist wake up in the morning, calmly sit down and drink his coffee, scan the morning paper, and then go off to murder thousands of innocent people? I shudder when I think of the evil of which men are capable.

But as depressing as such thoughts may be, they are quickly shunted aside by other, far more joyful emotions: inspiration and hope. For when I see how the people of America have responded to the atrocities, I cannot help but be moved. An outpouring of faith and national pride has swept across the United States, revealing an inner strength and resilience that other nations can only dream of.

The headlines tell it all: "Retailers sell out of flags," CBS's Market Watch reported on Thursday. Wal-Mart sold 315,000 American flags last Tuesday and Wednesday, compared with 16,000 in the same two days a year ago. K-mart sold nearly 200,000 flags, with orders for more still pouring in.

"Americans urged to fly Old Glory," reported the Associated Press. The US Senate and House of Representatives passed unanimous resolutions calling on Americans to fly the national flag for the next 30 days. House Speaker Dennis Hastert summed it up when he said, "You will be sending a strong signal to millions of people here at home and abroad that the red, white and blue represents freedom and democracy, and those ideals will live on."

Underlying those ideals is the abiding faith in God that Americans have, a faith they are neither ashamed of nor embarrassed by. An ABC News/Washington Post poll taken on the day of the attacks found that an astonishing 91 percent of Americans had prayed for the victims and their families.

Addressing the nation later that day, President George W. Bush said, "Tonight I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us." He then proceeded to quote from Chapter 23 of the Book of Psalms. Bush also declared last Friday to be a "National Day of Prayer and Remembrance," urging Americans to attend a prayer service during their lunch break.

Clearly, Americans understand the power of prayer, and they do not hesitate to reach for it and use it in their hour of need.

Cynics may mock such displays of patriotic and religious fervor, but I am deeply impressed by them. It demonstrates that America is a healthy nation, one that responds to external threats by pulling together and standing firm, rallying around the flag and refusing to cower in fear.

America may have been battered, but it has proven once again that it is far from beaten. A nation so deeply faithful and patriotic, one that is fiercely proud of its accomplishments and equally determined to defend them, is a nation that can never be defeated.

If only Israel were imbued with a similar fighting spirit.

In the past week, Americans have taught us what it means to love one's country and take pride in it. They have shown that you can be the strongest nation on earth, yet still be humble enough to bow your head before God and ask Him for assistance. These are lessons that Israel would do well to learn.

Of course, it would be easy to say that America has never known terror before, so that is why they react with such emotion and grief, whereas Israel, unfortunately, is far more acquainted with terror and bloodshed. Nevertheless, the American response is still instructive, and we would be wise not to dismiss it so quickly.

For when crisis strikes, as it has for the past year, Israelis need to reach for the flag. It is time to launch a national campaign, one that will cover the country in blue and white as a demonstration of our resolve not to be defeated. Israelis should initiate "Operation Raise the Flag," and distribute thousands of the nation's emblems across the land. The Israeli flag should fly in every classroom, at universities, community centers, synagogues and homes. It is a visible symbol of Jewish pride and honor, and at a time like this, those are two values we need more than ever.

Similarly, it is time that Israel realizes there is nothing wrong with having a little faith. We are fighting for our existence in the Holy Land. What better way to do so than by using the sacred weapon of prayer. If it is good enough for America, it should be good enough for us as well.

By raising the flag, we will raise our spirits. By lifting our voices in prayer, we can lift the nation out of its gloom. And, as America showed us so bravely this past week, in doing so, we will already have won half the battle.

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