The Lion and the Snake

How Israel pretends to be a Lion, but is actually a venomous Snake...

The Lion and the Snake

Israel pretends to be a lion, but is actually a venomous snake… so let’s look at that closer…

Jesus (allegedly,) in the New Testament of the Bible, compared the Pharisees to “a brood of vipers” and said they were “of their father, the Devil.”

Yet modern-day so-called and self-proclaimed Jews (almost all Zionists, and particularly Israeli Jews) are a hundred times more evil than those First Century Pharisaic Jews!

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When a snake pretends to be a lion, it’s likely engaging in a form of *deceptive behaviour*—either for survival, intimidation, or hunting purposes. Here’s what might happen:

### 1. **Bluffing for Defence**

- Some snakes (like the **hognose snake**) "play tough" when threatened, flattening their necks (like a cobra), hissing, or even striking with a closed mouth to mimic a more dangerous animal.

- If the predator (or human) believes the snake is a bigger threat (like a lion), they might back off.

### 2. **Mimicry in Nature**

- If a snake acted like a lion (roaring? growing a mane?), it would be bizarre—but in nature, deception is about *appearing* dangerous, not literally transforming.

### 3. **Failure of the Act**

- Most predators (or prey) aren’t fooled for long. A snake can’t truly replicate a lion’s size, sound, or behaviour.

- If the bluff fails, the snake might resort to fleeing, playing dead, or biting as a last resort.

### 4. **Symbolic Interpretation**

- In myths or stories, a snake pretending to be a lion could symbolize **hidden danger** or **false bravado**—something seemingly mighty but actually fragile when exposed.

### Final Outcome:

The snake’s act might work briefly, but without real lion-like traits, the ruse would collapse. In nature, deception is about subtle tricks—not literal impersonations.

The lion holds deep cultural, historical, and religious significance in Jewish and Israeli tradition. Here’s why the lion is symbolically important in Israel and Jewish identity:

### **1. Biblical & Historical Symbolism**

- **Tribe of Judah (Lion of Judah):**

In the Hebrew Bible (Genesis 49:9), Jacob blesses his son Judah, calling him a **"young lion"** (*Gur Aryeh*), symbolizing leadership and strength.

- Judah became the dominant tribe, and King David (ancestor of the Messiah in Jewish tradition) was from Judah.

- The **Lion of Judah** later became a symbol of the Jewish people, especially in the Kingdom of Judah.

- **Jerusalem & Jewish Royalty:**

Lions were associated with Jerusalem and Jewish kingship. The biblical throne of King Solomon was said to have lion imagery (1 Kings 10:19-20).

### **2. Modern Zionist & Israeli Use**

- **Emblem of Jerusalem:**

The official emblem of Jerusalem features a lion (based on archaeological findings near the Old City), representing the city’s historical and spiritual strength.

- **Military & National Symbols:**

- The **IDF’s "Lion of Judah" Brigade** (Givati Brigade) uses a lion in its insignia.

- Some Israeli military units and medals feature lions, symbolizing bravery.

- **Cultural & Political Messaging:**

- The lion represents resilience, echoing Israel’s survival against overwhelming odds.

- Right-wing and nationalist groups sometimes use the lion as a symbol of Jewish pride and defiance.

### **3. Contrast with Other Nations**

Unlike Ethiopia (which uses the Lion of Judah in its flag) or Singapore (the "Lion City"), Israel does not officially adopt the lion as a **national emblem** (the menorah is Israel’s official symbol). However, the lion remains a powerful **unofficial** motif in Jewish and Israeli culture.

### **Conclusion**

Israel doesn’t claim to *be* a lion, but the **Lion of Judah** is a key part of Jewish heritage—representing **strength, leadership, and survival**. It appears in religious texts, Jerusalem’s iconography, and military symbolism, reinforcing Jewish historical continuity and national resilience.

If someone keeps attacking all of their neighbours, the consequences—whether in nature, human society, or even metaphorically—are usually severe and unsustainable. Here’s what typically happens:

### **1. Immediate Consequences**

- **Retaliation:** Neighbours will eventually fight back, either individually or by forming alliances against the aggressor.

- **Isolation:** The attacker becomes surrounded by enemies, cut off from trade, help, or social ties.

- **Exhaustion:** Constant conflict drains resources (energy, time, money) without lasting gains.

### **2. Long-Term Outcomes**

- **Collapse of Power:** Over-extension leads to defeat (e.g., historical empires that fell after endless wars).

- **Reputation Ruin:** Others see the attacker as untrustworthy, making future cooperation impossible.

- **Self-Destruction:** Aggression often backfires—like a snake biting itself in frustration when cornered.

### **3. Natural World Parallels**

- In animal behaviour, a predator that attacks indiscriminately may provoke a group defence (e.g., bees stinging a bear, buffalo mobbing a lion).

- Territorial animals that over-fight risk injury, starvation, or being driven out.

### **4. Psychological/Social Angle**

- **Paranoia:** The attacker lives in constant fear of revenge.

- **No Safe Ground:** With no allies, even minor setbacks become catastrophic.

### **Final Result:**

**They lose.** History, biology, and game theory all show that unchecked aggression *without strategy* leads to downfall. Survival depends on balancing strength with diplomacy—knowing when to fight, when to negotiate, and when to walk away.

Unchecked aggression **with** strategy can succeed—but only under specific conditions and usually at a steep cost. History, warfare, and even nature show that calculated ruthlessness can win short-term dominance, but long-term survival requires more than brute force. Here’s the breakdown:

### **When It Works (Temporarily):**

1. **Overwhelming Power Asymmetry**

- Example: The Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan used lightning-fast, brutal attacks to conquer vast territories—but maintained control through strategic tolerance (e.g., incorporating defeated armies, protecting trade routes).

2. **Shock-and-Awe Tactics**

- Example: In nature, invasive species (like Burmese pythons in Florida) aggressively dominate ecosystems—until resistance emerges (disease, predators, or human intervention).

3. **Exploiting Weakness**

- Example: Rome’s early expansion relied on crushing rivals one by one before they could unite (*divide et impera*).

### **Why It Eventually Fails:**

1. **The "Harder They Fall" Principle**

- Aggressors make endless enemies. Even successful warlords (like Napoleon or Hitler) faced coalitions that eventually out-maneuvered them.

2. **Resource Depletion**

- Constant war drains manpower, money, and morale. The Aztecs’ ritualized aggression (Flowery Wars) weakened them before Spanish conquest.

3. **Adaptive Resistance**

- Opponents learn.

4. **Internal Collapse**

- Paranoia and infighting plague unchecked regimes (e.g., Stalin’s purges). Loyalty based on fear is brittle.

### **The Exception: Sustainable Strategic Aggression**

A few scenarios allow aggression to "succeed" long-term:

- **Controlled Escalation:** Like a judo master using an opponent’s momentum against them (e.g., U.S. Cold War containment strategy).

- **Hybrid Strategies:** Pair aggression with diplomacy (e.g., Octavian’s rise to Augustus—ruthless in war, pragmatic in peace).

- **Systemic Advantage:** Some systems reward aggression (e.g., Wall Street’s "shark tank" dynamics—but even there, overreach leads to crashes).

### **Final Verdict:**

**Short-term?** Yes, if precision-targeted, adaptable, and backed by overwhelming force.

**Long-term?** No—unless aggression evolves into something more nuanced. Sun Tzu’s *Art of War* sums it up:

*"To win 100 battles is not the height of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is."*

(my note: by certainly not by mass starvation and/or a medieval siege of blanket bombing of civilians!)