By Ronn Torossian
NEW YORK–The new book by Hillel Halkin, Jabotinsky: A Life (Yale University Press) was unlike any other book I had ever consumed about a man I consider to be a personal hero, Ze’ev Jabotinsky. Jabotinsky helped shape my life, my Judaism – even though I was born 34 years after his death. Growing up in the Betar Youth Movement (as did my mother, Penny Waga z”l), Jabotinsky’s teachings have helped shape many of my world (and life) views. He has also helped shape modern Israeli politics, as the founder of Revisionist Zionism which is now headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
As a former National President of Betar North America, Jabotinsky’s youth movement, I am well accustomed and well-read in the work and legend of this Jewish hero. Halkin’s book is rich in background about the man’s personal life, details how being raised in Odessa shaped his worldview, details Jabotinsky’s travels throughout Europe, successful career as a journalist and then delves deeply into his life where “his Zionist activity dominated all else.”
Jabotinsky’s position as a visionary and brilliant political thinker – a prophet – is reconfirmed throughout the book with repeated statements that would ring true today on the Middle East. Like many other great political leaders, the man was undoubtedly not an easy person and conflicted on many issues. It is as clear as ever from reading this book that Ze’ev Jabotinsky is one of the leaders responsible for the existence of a modern-day State of Israel.
While Halkin’s political overtones were evident throughout the book, the political background he provided was insightful. As this biography is the first written on Jabotinsky in nearly twenty years, it’s fascinating reading, and amazing to read that while so much time has passed – in so many ways, so little has changed. The right and left in Israel still bicker about the same issues, and issues with the Palestinian Arabs are seemingly quite similar.
Jabotinsky’s ideology of the need for free-market capitalism, and freedom of speech and assembly, majority rule, equality for all are all issues which today benefit Israel. In an entirely different era, he clinged to his firm-belief that the Jews needed an army of their own.
As quoted in the book, Jabotinsky asked in a speech to a Polish Jewish audience: “Is a situation moral in which one side can commit any crime or murder and the other is forbidden to react?”
These words are just as vital today as no matter what happens to the Jewish State, Israel is to blame.
Jabotinsky also asks a question Halkin quotes which today can also be used to show the disparity between Arabs living in Israel, and Jews inability to visit Arab nations: “Jews can’t let themselves be seen on the roads of Palestine – but the Arab in Tel Aviv feels at home. He gets up in the morning and sets out and knocks on the Jews’ door and says “Good morning. I have brought some vegetables” – and nothing happens. He’s not afraid of being harmed….. How long can this go on? Forever? Why, under such circumstances should the Arabs stop what they are doing?”
There is discussion of Jabotinsky’s involvement – 85 years ago- with Jewish prayer at the Western Wall & The Temple Mount. There are so many other viewpoints and historical anecdotes – large and small – which I had never seen reported anywhere before. (Who knew he stayed on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, a neighborhood I live in for so many years.)
Ze’ev Vladimir Jabotinsky was one of the greatest Jewish leaders ever. While I would recommend, Lone Wolf: A Biography of Vladimir (Ze’ev) Jabotinsky by Shmuel Katz before Halkin’s book if one is seeking a Jabotinsky biography in English, this is nevertheless worthwhile reading on a man whose viewpoints still have such a tremendous impact on the State of Israel.
Today, in my office is a poster of one of Jabotinsky’s greatest sayings: “Tell them [the Jewish People] three things in my name, and not two: they must get iron [i.e. weapons]; they must choose a king; and they must learn to laugh.” This great quote is one every Jew should remember. As Ze’ev Jabotinsky wrote in Shir Betar (The Song of Betar), “ “Silence is Despicable!” Reading this book can undoubtedly inspire many to be more knowledgeable – and hopefully more active – in the continued enhancement and growth of the State of Israel and the Jewish people.
Halkin writes an intellectually deep book which is insightful and historic – and worthwhile reading for anyone interested in Zionist history and the life of a great Jewish hero. Every Jewish library needs a copy of Jabotinsky: A Life By Hillel Halkin.
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Ronn Torossian is a freelance writer and public relations executive, with neither a professional nor personal relationship with author Halkin.