Tikkun Olam and Lokasangraha: Ethical Echoes
In Judaism, the concept of “Tikkun Olam” refers to repairing the world.
In Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism), “Lokasangraha” refers to the welfare of the world.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas awakens vivid memories of my time navigating the perilous streets of Baghdad. As I watch the news reports, it's as if I am transported back in time to the days alongside my "purple" team of U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and British Army cohorts when the dusty labyrinths of Baghdad were our war zone. The parallels run deep, tying the essence of insurgency across geography and decades. The rocket salvos unleashed by Hamas echo the terror wrought by terrorists' "technicals" in Baghdad—stupid red-striped Toyota Hilux pickup trucks that would appear without warning and lob mortars our way. Though the contexts differ, the unpredictability and mobility of the enemy fire kept us constantly on edge in both cases. We never knew when the next attack would come or from which direction. Every time we ventured beyond our secure base, it was a calculated risk—a tense game of probabilities between firefights, potential enemy snipers, mortars, and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). We routinely traveled on Route Irish if heading into the Green Zone. That route was later dubbed the "most dangerous road in the world." Every time we left our gates, we assumed that some or all of us would not return.
Despite the omnipresent risk to our lives, our adrenaline rush of driving into such extremely high-risk situations gradually dulled to a grim routine as we realized that numbness was the only way to press forward amid the chaos. On the one hand, we abused numbness as a coping mechanism. On the other hand, the heightened awareness and alertness required to survive so that we might complete our mission made it impossible to achieve catatonic bliss. This paradox creates a complex and challenging compartmentalization dynamic for those involved in war. The heightened senses, fatigue, and anguish are all part of the uniform we don. Some days, the uniform fits more loosely; others, it threatens to suffocate. But we wear it nonetheless, bound by duty and camaraderie.
Interestingly, while in the combat zones, my actions unwittingly aligned with the Hindu concept of Dharma—fulfilling one's duty with honor despite adversity. This ancient guiding ideal resonates with Mitzvot's Jewish ethos, which I suspect motivates the Israeli troops today. Though separated by millennia, both frameworks provide a moral infrastructure to navigate war's upheaval. When the world around you is baptized in fire, an inner compass helps maintain the bearing. This common wellspring of courage and righteousness sustained legendary warriors like Arjuna and King David, upholding virtue amid strife. King David's courage facing the towering Goliath, armed only with a slingshot and faith in his cause. Arjuna heeded Krishna's call to fulfill his Dharma, though it meant certain death of beloved kin. Stories of ultimate tests passed, upholding righteousness when defeat seemed inevitable. While details vary, the universal theme endures—rising to meet one's destiny with moral courage, come what may. Legends are lessons distilled.
Watching the trials faced by Israeli troops awakens a profound yearning to stand beside them in camaraderie, as I once did alongside my friends and allies on Baghdad's embattled streets. The harrowing images mirror my experiences navigating war's chaos long ago. Though the details differ, the essence remains the same - the weary determination in a soldier's eyes to keep moving forward through the haze of smoke and shrapnel, the anguish of seeing a comrade fall, or as they observe the body of yet another child raped and murdered by Hamas. While the tools and terrain transform, these raw human experiences endure, etched into the collective soul. War's darkest moments revealed hidden reserves of courage within me, just as combat now shows the resilience of Israeli troops. Ordinary people rise to the occasion in times of need. I recall my small acts of bravery under fire, moments of grace rather than overt heroism. Times when bonds of brotherhood shone bright, as we sacrificed for the greater good. There were also moments when giving up seemed tempting, as it did for Arjuna, doubting his path. But I chose courage, trusting Lord Krishna's wisdom and a purpose higher than myself. Standing firm in such moments linked me to the timeless ethos of honor and duty upheld by warriors past and present. Each act of courage, in turn, strengthens our shared humanity across boundaries of time and tribulation. The forge of conflict clarifies and distills these lessons, hardening into an unbreakable chain. And so now, though years have passed, my heart swells in camaraderie and gratitude as I watch others carry the torch. The terrain shifts, but the campaign continues, and this soul stands in solidarity with those fighting onward through the fire.
Gazing forward, technology will continue evolving the methods of warfare while leaving its essence unchanged. However, the requisites of courage and sacrifice remain constant, as does the pain of lives lost. Even today's fancy new Artificial Intelligence has no answer for the raw human agony of recording a fallen fellow soldier's last message to her children back home or the gut-wrenching remorse of finding the body of a child raped and murdered by Hamas terrorists. War's moral crucibles exist beyond any algorithm's reach. The ancient codes are the only trustworthy guides across generations of warriors as they fulfill their solemn duty regardless of time. The Bhagavad Gita and Torah's Mitzvot emphasize resilience and hope as moral touchstones, impossible to replicate technologically. While methods change, certain fundamentals abide. Whether clashing swords or deploying stealth drones, the essence of brave sacrifice in pursuit of a just cause persists. For it springs from the depths of our shared humanity.
If called today, could I muster the same courage as before? The passage of time has reshaped my horizons, tempering youthful instincts with unnecessary wisdom. The blood quickens, but the body knows its limits—a bittersweet schism between nostalgia and knowledge. Fortunately, my presence or absence is immaterial to the profound teachings of Dharma and Mitzvot. They echo through the ages, nurturing the indelible bond of righteousness that unites us all, transcending the boundaries of culture and faith. These remind us that our ethical commitments to justice, community, and the divine form are the shared essence of our human endeavor. As the campaign continues, I wish God's protection and success to our Israeli brothers and sisters in arms. Though distant, this soldier's soul marches onward with you.
