“BUT KNOWING HOW TO SHOOT WILL GIVE US HOPE.”
‘In an article [Ze’ev Jabotinsky] wrote in 1936, entitled “On the Hearth” (Yiddish) [Jabotinsky] pointed out that each generation of Jews has its own alef-bet to learn, and the lessons are different for each generation. [Jabotinsky] wrote: “For this generation now growing before our own eyes, and on whose shoulders will fall the responsibility for the greatest turning point in our history, the alef-bet is very plain and simple: ‘Young men, learn to shoot!’ Being educated is not enough. Being educated and also skilled workers and farmers is still not enough. BUT KNOWING HOW TO SHOOT WILL GIVE US HOPE. This is not militarism or fascism. This is historical reality. It is necessary for our survival in Palestine and elsewhere.’
“Jews, learn to shoot.”