We have always said that in our war with the Arabs we had a

Gather now, O children, and listen to the powerful words of Golda Meir, one of the most revered leaders of the Israeli state, who, in her wisdom and courage, spoke of the unyielding spirit of her people during a time of profound conflict: "We have always said that in our war with the Arabs we had a secret weapon - no alternative." These words resonate deeply with the spirit of survival, of those who have fought against overwhelming odds, not out of choice, but because they had no other path, no other hope. The truth within these words speaks to the very heart of human resilience: that when there is no alternative, when survival is the only option, the strength of a people becomes their greatest weapon.

Consider the ancient Hebrews, O children, who, in the face of impossible odds, refused to yield. They wandered the wilderness for forty years, not out of desire, but out of the unrelenting will to survive, to hold on to the promise of a home in the land of Canaan. Their journey was not one of comfort, but one of necessity, driven by the resolve to live, to endure, and to fight for a future that seemed distant and uncertain. The great leader Moses led them through deserts and perils, not because he had no fear, but because he understood that the alternative—the loss of their identity, their faith, and their land—was unthinkable. The survival of the Hebrew people became the most sacred mission, the one thing they could not afford to lose.

So too, O children, was the story of Israel in the 20th century. Golda Meir’s words come from the crucible of conflict, when the newly-formed state of Israel was surrounded by enemies on all sides. In the Arab-Israeli War of 1948, Israel fought not just for territory, but for its very existence. It was a war fought with limited resources, against adversaries far greater in number and military might. And yet, Israel’s survival was not a matter of chance, but of determination—the unbreakable will to live, to defend, and to thrive. The people of Israel had no choice but to fight, for to lose was to lose everything. Their secret weapon was not a weapon at all, but the conviction that there was no alternative to survival.

But the story of Israel’s fight did not end in 1948. In 1967, during the Six-Day War, Israel once again found itself surrounded by powerful enemies. In this conflict, Israel’s no alternative mentality drove them to act swiftly and decisively, despite being vastly outnumbered. The Israeli Defense Forces, with their courage and ingenuity, achieved a stunning victory, taking control of territories that would become integral to Israel’s defense strategy. In this moment of great peril, the people of Israel knew that there was no second chance, no escape—their only choice was to defend their existence with every ounce of strength they possessed. And so, they did.

But the lesson in Meir’s words, children, is not just about war or defense. It speaks to something deeper, to the very human spirit. When faced with challenges and obstacles, when the path ahead seems dark and uncertain, it is the knowledge that we have no alternative but to continue that gives us the strength to persevere. Just as the people of Israel fought not for glory but for the right to exist, so too must we face our own struggles with the same resolve. When we face hardships in our own lives, be it in our families, our work, or in the world at large, let us remember that the true victory is not in the absence of struggle, but in the determination to overcome it.

What then, O children, is the lesson we must carry forward? It is that resilience is the greatest weapon in any battle. When you face challenges that seem insurmountable, remember that sometimes, the only path forward is the one that does not allow for retreat. You may not always have a choice in the difficulties you face, but you do have a choice in how you respond to them. The true strength is in refusing to give up, in understanding that when there is no alternative, you must rise, stand firm, and fight for what matters most—whether it be your family, your freedom, or your values.

In your lives, you will face moments when the world seems to close in, when obstacles appear to be too great, and when it feels as though the path ahead is blocked. It is in these moments that you must remember Golda Meir’s words: there is no alternative but to move forward. Resolve, conviction, and purpose are your secret weapons. Stand tall, children, in the face of adversity, and know that your greatest strength lies in the unyielding belief that, no matter how difficult the journey, you have the power to continue, to fight, and to survive. For in the end, the victory is not in avoiding battle, but in the courage to face it when there is no other choice.