Nota Bene – Not

It's over. Though not really a surprise, there has been no response to previous editions of Nota Bene. Since their purpose was to cajole readers into doing my work for me – to elaborate and dissect topics for which I didn't have time – I've clearly failed in the attempt. Of course it should have been expected. Absent readership there was no reason to anticipate any reaction or reply. I'll have to think for myself. And burden Blogspot with my efforts. So I'll write more than has been on my schedule thus far.

Today's effort will focus on Jihad and martyrdom. Most westerners don't really understand this concept, nor the rewards of being a shahid.

According to a hadith, martyrs are rewarded with 72 virgins. The Qur'an promises hourisⁱ for all men who enter Jannah,ⁱⁱ but the number is not specified, and there is a greater reward for those “who fight in the way of Allah (jihad) and get killed.”ⁱⁱⁱ “[A]and there are also hasan (good) hadith which refer to 72 virgins as one of the 'seven blessings from Allah' to the martyr. This has lead [sic] to the 72 virgins concept being widely used as a way to entice other Muslims into carrying out 'martyrdom operations' for Islam.”^iv

But, as Al Jolson said, “you ain't heard nothing yet.” “It is quoted by Ibn Kathir, in his Qur'anic Commentary, the Tafsir ibn Kathir, and they are graphically described by Qur'anic commentator and polymath, al-Suyuti (died 1505), who, echoing a hasan hadith Ibn Majah, wrote that the perpetual virgins will all 'have appetizing vaginas,' and that the 'penis of the Elected never softens. The erection is eternal.'”^v I ain't making this stuff up. Martyrdom is certainly tempting – even for those with ED, which, apparently, it cures.

Lest it be thought, however, that Jannah is for men only, or that Islam is sexist,^vi “The women have something even better. Their husband becomes the guy that they wanted him to be here.”^vii,^viii That seems to be the case whether or not they want him to be here.

The only thing not covered in what I've read is the supernal reward that children get for strapping on suicide belts. It's possible that the may get sexual pleasure as well – even if in their innocence they have no idea what that means. They certainly receive the reward of Jannah as do all other believers, but I suspect that all birth defects and deformities, and any other diseases are cured, and any unhappiness of their childhood is replaced by celestial rapture.^ix

Although it dates back to the Qur'an, the concept is one that has only entered our consciousness in recent years, having received a great deal of attention as a result of the struggles of noble Palestinian Authority and Hamas members to end the need to endure life next to those who are not believers in Islam. It's a demonstration of the truth they don't have to endure life at all. And if they end the lives of those non-believers, so much the better. Of course those people won't get any virgins. Why should they? They certainly don't deserve any.

But all of the believers who perish in the conflict are martyrs. It isn't a requirement that they sought martyrdom or even died willingly. Even human shields can be martyrs. They are certainly seen as such but their fellows, and are mourned by the United Nations and most of its members. So they get sex objects and cure of their ailments. Candy, parades, and street namings are additional trappings and rewards for the dedication they have shown. And payments for their families. What could be better?

But the best part is the bestowal of virgins. It's to die for.

Next episode: “Ethics” – The wisdom of the ages.

I        While there are several translations of “houri,” the meaning in this instance is understood to be “virgin.”

ii       Heaven or Paradise. And the only men who enter are believers.

iii      From WikiIslam, “The Online Resource on Islam.”

iv       Ibid.

v        This important teaching can also be found in WikiIslam. Google^® it. You'll learn a lot – all authentic.

vi       Jannah forfend. The last thing anyone could accuse Islam of is sexism. Women have the same rights and opportunities as men and homosexuality, along with other so-called “sexual dysphorias,” is accepted without hesitation. Presumably there are appropriate treats for all LGBT martyrs (although I'm not sure what it is for transgenders).

vii     I suspect he meant “there” rather than “here,” but I could be wrong. I don't know where he was when he was when he wrote about the joys of Jannah.

viii     Sheik Yusuf Estes provides this valuable information in Just Ask Islam. Like WikiIslam, it's online.

ix       Or is that from another religion?

What's In A Name?

 

Eyal Gilad Naftali. It's a long monicker for a newborn baby, but that's the name that my daughter and son-in-law, who live in Jerusalem, chose to hang on their youngest son.

It happened just a few days ago at his bris — a ritual circumcision which is the first rite of passage of a Jewish boy. The ceremony, on the eighth day of his life, is one in which he is welcomed into the religion and the time when he is named.

Eyal Gilad Naftali. It's likely that he isn't the only child so designated, for it contains the given names of the three boys murdered a few days earlier by terrorists in Israel. It was the trigger for the fighting that followed, although in reality there had been much provocation earlier with rockets sent from Gaza to kill whatever Israelis they might find. Precise aim was not an issue. It was not a critical capability of the weapons of terror, and it wasn't all that important who got killed. The more important point was that those rockets were intended to attract return fire, fire that would kill and maim those in Gaza — both terrorists and the civilians they used as shields — in order to attract the world's attention. Those killed in Gaza would be "martyrs," and they should be grateful that they were accorded the "honor" of dying in the war against Israel.

All wars have soldiers, and many are volunteers. But there are also a large number who are drafted. The typical draftee is young, in his late teens or early twenties, and male. He is chosen because it is assumed that he will be a fit warrior, and he is trained for this task, as well as armed for it. In this instance there are numerous unnamed draftees, civilians neither trained nor armed for their duties.

And all wars have what is euphemistically called "collateral damage," those inadvertently killed while the battle is raging. Inadvertently. Their deaths may be inevitable but are unintended and undesired. In this war, however, the collateral damage is the goal. The fewer fighters among the terrorists who are killed and the more civilians the better. They, the unwilling draftees, are the martyrs who will show the world the justice of their cause. They may not choose such a role for themselves, but the choice is not theirs. And the presence of any protection, such as shelters, would be counterproductive — so none are available.

Accordingly, three teenaged Israeli boys were abducted and murdered. It was one of many provocations but the one that led to the current hostilities. And it was one that brought all of the citizens of Israel together. It united a country that had many internal disputes. Political disagreements and religious differences in Israel were of no consequence. Everyone prayed for them together when they were reported missing. And everyone mourned them when their fate was known. We do not know the names of their killers because that is irrelevant. We will name no streets or squares after the boys or after the terrorists who killed them. That may be the practice of those who would like to see us destroyed, but it is not our way. We will name babies after our sons, and we will do our best to ensure the safety of our other children. And we will punish those among us who adopt the inhuman practices of our enemies. They are not our heroes. They are our enemies — the adversaries of all we believe.

Eyal Gilad Naftali. My youngest grandson and, I hope, a representative of a future of peace in a region that has always known war. My children and grandchildren live each day in the midst of the war, as do millions of others. And they bear and rear children despite it. It's a fact of life. I only pray that those who place death before life will realize the folly of their acts and renounce them. I'm not hopeful of such an event, but prayer is all I can offer.