Why Jews Should Be Armed and Trained

I have often had conversations regarding guns with other Jews that end up dwelling too much on refuting their peculiar belief in the value of defenselessness, and too little on why they should be armed and trained. They reflexively parrot media talking points, or denigrate themselves as likely incapable of self-defense.

This was particularly true before Oct. 7. When I as a board member of a local synagogue tried broaching the subject in regards to security, Zoom was unkind in showing me many bewildered faces all at once searching my image for a tin foil yarmulke. There was a chorus of angry voices shouting at me about how there is no need and its not allowed and its so unlikely to happen here, and the police are our friends.

Post Oct. 7 though, we can see the truth of things. 2024 was the year that antisemitic violence became fashionable again. Sad as that is, we need to utilize it. The usual narrative of anti-gun Jews has fallen apart. Our people are frightened, and we have a duty to rally them to their own self-defense during this period of stark clarity. If ever there was a time to sound the shofar, this is it. .....