by Reb Akiva @ Mystical Paths

We do not believe, and plentiful lessons from the Torah and Tanach tell us, that success and survival is in the might of our arms.  BUT neither are we permitted to ignore defending ourselves (when circumstances allow).  The Torah and Tanach also give plentiful instances of the Jewish people going off to war, and the Shulchan Aruch (code of Jewish law) gives specific laws when we must even violate Shabbat to physically defend even property of the lowest value (straw).

Here are some of the strength of arms wielded by the Israeli Defense Forces.  May they also carry Hashem’s blessings, without which their strength is useless.

Apache Attack Helicopter

F-16 C/D Fighter Jet

Cobra Attack Helicopter

CH-53 Heavy Lift Jet-Assisted Helicopter

F-15 Fighter-Bomber Jet

We were asked by the air force personnel attending the planes not to take pictures of the F-15i and F-16i – specially Israeli modified versions of the standard US made jets (standard models in use by Israel pictured above).  While this seemed a bit silly in an open-to-the-public airshow with 15,000 people passing by with cameras and camera-phones all taking pictures, we respect their request (and any possible national security implications). [Though I just googled for pictures of it and came up with much better pictures than I took, including even the cockpit.]  However, if you don’t want people to see something and pictures taken, don’t put it out for the air show!