Maybe it's like that for some people. But i see it as an obligation and a responsibility. And it sure feels like that when i'm checking Arabs at our roadblock.
Some of the Israelis i'm with have said that they think every Jew in the world should be doing some sort of service for the IDF (or at least for Israel in general). But then other guys said, "It's not mandatory for non-Israelis, so they shouldn't have to serve."
The guys who think all Jews should do a bit of service generally view Israel as a greater thing than just a bordered piece of land with man-made laws and infrastructures. They see Israel as the home for the Jewish people from time immemorial. And everyone should contribute to their home in some way or another, right? If my parents put food on the table, shouldn't i at the very least, unload the dishwasher? :)
On the other hand, the second group of guys see Israel as just another country with laws such as mandatory service, or no service, depending on citizenship (which the first group would say is no more than ink on a piece of paper).
In reality, the state of Israel is a bit of both perspectives. Even if YOU don't view Israel as your home, the state of Israel views you as it's homemaker.
That is why Israel is the greatest opponent of anti-semitism around the world. And that's why Israel was willing to take in one million Russian Jews in just one decade after the Soviet Union dissolved. And it's why i get paid double army pay, get my rent paid for, get free groceries, despite the fact that i haven't even fully received citizenship yet.
Some of the Israelis i'm with have said that they think every Jew in the world should be doing some sort of service for the IDF (or at least for Israel in general). But then other guys said, "It's not mandatory for non-Israelis, so they shouldn't have to serve."
The guys who think all Jews should do a bit of service generally view Israel as a greater thing than just a bordered piece of land with man-made laws and infrastructures. They see Israel as the home for the Jewish people from time immemorial. And everyone should contribute to their home in some way or another, right? If my parents put food on the table, shouldn't i at the very least, unload the dishwasher? :)
On the other hand, the second group of guys see Israel as just another country with laws such as mandatory service, or no service, depending on citizenship (which the first group would say is no more than ink on a piece of paper).
In reality, the state of Israel is a bit of both perspectives. Even if YOU don't view Israel as your home, the state of Israel views you as it's homemaker.
That is why Israel is the greatest opponent of anti-semitism around the world. And that's why Israel was willing to take in one million Russian Jews in just one decade after the Soviet Union dissolved. And it's why i get paid double army pay, get my rent paid for, get free groceries, despite the fact that i haven't even fully received citizenship yet.
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