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As the boiling midday sun beat down on Daniel, he felt more than willing to forego the above pleasures, in exchange for a seat on his living room couch, under a blasting air conditioner. The sweat drenched palm that he placed above his eyes did little to provide relief to the overheated teenager. Nonetheless, he struggled to raise his eyes, in vain hope that some suitable vehicle would pass by before he would melt into a puddle.
He was just about to open his backpack to see whether his math or English textbook would provide better shade, when a screech of breaks caught his attention. Daniel eagerly pulled open the car door, sank into the seat, and closed his eyes. After he had caught his breath, he looked toward the driver’s seat, so he could thank the generous passerby. His thoughts of gratitude were quickly replaced with feelings of horror. Resting above the dashboard, not far from the driver’s amply etched bare arms, was shiny, sharp knife!
The long stretch of empty road did little to calm Daniel’s nerves, as he assessed his options. He eagerly looked for the nearest spot where he could ask to be let out. He took another look at the driver’s face, and noticed something somewhat reassuring, under the circumstances. The driver, far from appearing angry or menacing, actually seemed calm and happy! Overcome by curiosity, Daniel blurted out "just wondering, why do you have a knife in your car?"
"Oh, that," the driver casually replied. "I take that wherever I go. It’s a special story. It was during the Yom Kippur war. I was stationed on the Egyptian border. Suddenly, I found myself face to face with a Syrian soldier. I knew instantly from the raised gun in his hand that only one of us would make it out of this confrontation alive. It was a matter of seconds, and it was far from a sure thing, but I managed to be the one to shoot first. I looked at the enemy soldier, just seconds ago poised to take my life, now, himself, lying on the ground, and I knew that I needed to hold onto the memory of this miracle forever. I looked for something of his that I could take with me, to connect me to this moment. This knife, that you see lying here, seemed an obvious choice."
Daniel was both relieved and fascinated by the driver’s story. He and the driver carried on a pleasant conversation, for the rest of the ride.
(Note, Daniel, the protagonist in the story, is none other than the author of this column!)
Was the driver, in fact, fulfilling the mitzva of ‘pirsum ha-nes’ (publicizing a miracle) by keeping the Syrian soldier’s knife with him, wherever he went? Is there some precedent for this in Torah sources?
Answer of Rabbi Yaakov Ariel, shlita:
After King David killed Goliath, David took Goliath’s knife. Later on, David placed the knife in the Mishkan in order to commemorate the miracle. (Shmuel I, 21:10)
In another incident, David was shepherding his sheep, when a lion and bear approached, intending to attack the sheep. David miraculously succeeded in killing the lion and bear, before they could harm the sheep. David later took the skin of the sheep that he had saved, and made it into a garment, in order to remember this miracle. (Shmuel I, 17:34-36, see also Divrei Eliyahu, page 53)
We see from these stories that it is proper and valuable to remember and publicize a miracle.
However, it is important to note that, even though, according to Torah law, it is permitted to take spoils from war, according to the regulations of the IDF, it is forbidden to take the belongings of the enemy. Therefore, it would be proper for this man to ask permission to keep the knife, from someone in the IDF who is responsible for making such decisions. Because such a long time passed since this incident, it is likely that the man would receive permission.
Obviously, it is necessary for him to take precaution not to scare other people with the knife.
In summary:
If he receives permission from the IDF, carrying the knife with him is a fitting way to remember the miracles of the Yom Kippur war. However, he must be careful not to scare anyone with the knife.
Peninei Halakha 11. Shaving One’s Beard During the Three Weeks
Chapter 8: The Customs of the Three Weeks
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
