"Three signs in this nation: shy, merciful and reciprocal in kindness" - this is how sages described the character of the people of Israel.
Indeed, despite the atrocities that the Ukrainians have inflicted on Jews over the centuries, the heart is filled with pity for the suffering their sons are now going through.
But the obvious question in the face of the war is: What is the expected withdrawal of grace from the Jewish state?
This is not the first time that Israel has faced such a dilemma.
Less than a decade ago, a real genocide took place across our northern border - even then with Russian involvement.
While our neighbor Jordan absorbed millions of Syrian refugees, no one expected Israel to put them in its gates.
Is the blood of distant Ukrainians more flushed?
In that war, Israel did wonders when it flowed humanitarian aid and treated hundreds of wounded Syrians.
Similarly, these days the country's envoys on Ukraine's borders - as well as private citizens - are providing aid to war refugees on an inspiring scale.
Soon the state will even operate a field hospital in the area.
To this extensive activity is added the heroic operation of rescuing many thousands of Jews and Israelis from the inferno, with great courage and heavy financial investment.
In addition to all this, above and beyond what most non-neighboring countries of Ukraine have done, Israel has also approved the absorption of 25,000 Ukrainians who are not eligible for the Law of Return.
And do not let this be easy for you.
In recent days, thousands of Ukrainians who have been in the country illegally have been notified that they are allowed to settle here.
"Detention centers" have released illegal immigrants from Ukraine, who have so far preferred to be non-Israeli according to their country's independence.
Such is Israel, it is difficult to expel even those who by any law are not supposed to be here (and those who do not understand this, are invited to tour the ex-territory known as South Tel Aviv).
Israel is such because in accordance with its self-definition and according to the UN resolution - it is a Jewish state, and therefore it has mercy.
This is the historic destiny of the country.
The Jewish people are still persecuted around the world, and suffer threats of extermination like no other nation has experienced.
This is the right side of history that country leaders need to be on.
Therefore, even in painful circumstances, we should not tattoo the image of the state.
This is not a country of all the citizens of the world, and there is no need to apologize for it.
Israel is also a small country in population and tiny in the field.
And in general, what is the alternative?
That with the outbreak of every war in the world we will absorb 50,000 people?
From Myanmar?
From Yemen?
From Iraq?
From Afghanistan?
From Ethiopia?
Between the mind and the heart
So the Jewish heart longs for help, but the mind understands that limitations are required.
Under these circumstances, with all the pain, we must not gather into our lap tens of thousands of non-Jewish Ukrainians, who have no affiliation with Israel.
We received 25 thousand.
We will absorb hundreds of thousands of those entitled to the Law of Return (many of whom are not Jews).
We provide humanitarian aid, and our leaders are working to make peace.
This is how a Jewish state is expected to behave.
And a personal note to conclude - do not preach to me about the Holocaust and matters.
I am a second generation Holocaust survivor.
An aunt I did not know was murdered by Ukrainians when she was six months old, banging her head on a rock.
I know how to do the historical calculation on my own. Ariel Kahanachen for help, but not at the expense of the Jewish character of Israel
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