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Betar is a Jewish youth movement based on a very rich ideology and history.
Click on the links below to find out more about the various aspects of Betar
Betar Ideology
When asked to summarise the Betar ideology, 3 basic principles emerge:
3 Pillars
Aliyah
Betar believes that the highest ideal and greatest expression of Zionism is Aliyah – going to live in the State of Israel. We believe in and nurture a love for our Jewish homeland.
Hadar
Every Jew is a prince and has an obligation to act as befits someone of royal heritage. Hadar is a Hebrew word not easily translated, which embodies the ideas of self-pride and self-respect, respect for others and acting with a high moral integrity. Simply put, hadar is about acting like a mensch.
Tagar
Another Hebrew word lacking a pure English translation. Tagar is about tenacity and activism, having the strength to stand up and fight for what is right, even in the face of all obstacles.
While these three principles embody much of what Betar is about, it is important to remember that they are far from all comprehensive and the movement’s ideology is far more complex, drawn from the teachings of Rosh Betar, Ze’ev Jabotinsky, which includes hundreds of speeches, essays and letters. Of these, 2 documents are key to understanding what Betar is about.
Shir Betar
This is the Betar anthem, as written by Ze’ev Jabotinsky. It contains three verses, describing the key elements of the Betar ideology.
Verse 1 - Betar
This verse brings out the point that from the shadow of the Jewish nation, which has been oppressed, shut away in Ghettoes and murdered “en masse”, Jabotinsky’s “perfect” Jew – with dignity, self-respect and strength – will rebuild the nation into one which will no longer bow down under the hands of the tyrants and oppressors, but will fight back as did “captured Yodefet, Massada and Betar.”
Verse 2 – Hadar
“Even in poverty, a Jew is a prince…” All Jews have an equal birthright: they are worthy of respect and should take pride in everything they do; they should behave with dignity and courtesy, honour and honesty at all times, as is right for those of royal lineage.Whether conditions are pleasant or unpleasant, safe or dangerous, a Jew must remember to behave with hadar and must never lose his self-respect as Jews have done in the past. “In light or in darkness, remember the crown, the crown of pride and tagar.”
Verse 3 – Tagar
One must never surrender one’s goal because of opposition. It is your duty to do your utmost to secure fulfillment of your ideals, despite antagonism. Even if defeat appears inevitable, struggle against it and continue to spread your belief; have the courage of your convictions and defend them to the last, whether you are supported or vehemently opposed; voice your opinions and beliefs, for it is the duty of every individual to stand by his principles and try to educate others about what he believes to be the correct school of thought.
Conclusion
We shall attain our goal, or die reaching for it, but we shall never give up our struggle, for as long as we continue to believe that we are justified in our fight there is a chance that we shall succeed. Again Rosh Betar takes the example set by the three fortresses, Yodefet, Massada and Betar, who refused to surrender even though their hopes of victory were destroyed but fought for their rights until none was left to continue the fight.
Shir HaNeder
Shir Haneder (The Vow) was written in 1923 by Ze’ev Jabotinsky and has guided Betar since its inception. It is a poem that displays the finest, yet essential assumptions that have suited our realities from 1923 to the present day.
Zion:
I am building the Jewish state.
Betar in Israel is the prince and ruler,
Who will rule on this side
And the other of the flame of the Jordan
The struggle for and in the land of Israel must be seen in the broader context of the historical and national struggle of the Jewish Nation. This same framework therefore promises to lead to the continued upliftment of the Jewish Nation in both a physical and spiritual sense.
Hadnes (Monism):
White and Blue, and no other, there will not be added
The redness of admixture to the splendour of the ideal;
The only link between worker and owner
Is that both are rebuilding Zion
The key to the advancement of the Zionist Ideal is the unification of all the working forces of the Nation. We have one flag – the blue and white of Israel. All other ideas and paths are secondary to the main goal – the building of the Jewish State.
Ivrit (Hebrew):
My living language in joy, in sorrow, in wrath,
The language of work, of thought, of song – the language of my children;
An eternal golden chain linking up the songs of Tel Chai and thunder -
The wonder of Sinai
The Hebrew language should be the vehicle through which we conduct our national and private lives. Our use of the language will ultimately result in an exemplary cultural rebirth that will in turn initiate a “light unto the nations.”
Sherut (Mobilization):
In a day of service I am like a bar of copper,
Like a mass of iron in the hands of the blacksmith whose name is Zion;
Mould me as you please – a sickle, a machine wheel
Or a sword and a dagger
When and if the National Interest demands it, one should work of one’s own free will to serve that need, subjecting personal needs and tolerances.
Magen (Defence):
I shall approach the company of nations gallantly
Like a lion approaching lions – my brethren, not my conqueror;
I am a Betar soldier,
A watchman on the threshold of Tel Chai
The existence of our national sovereignty is dependant on our power to ensure our independence and existence. We should not be dependent or inferior to other nations.
Hadar (Glory/Splendour):
I am a royal descendant of Gideon, one like me
Possesses the dignity of royal descent in his heart, his body, in everything;
Proud in the presence of princes, humble with the poor,
Overcoming – to forgive
This principle is the guiding light of a society where all of its sons shall be “princes amongst men”, ie. That each individual is an independent entity, and that he/she works according to a moral code that is therefore a “noble obligation.” Each individual should have self honour and respect for others, for we are all equal to one another.
Tsiud (Obedience):
To enjoy freedom – raise a fence around you!
Voluntarily, I have imposed upon myself the law of Betar,
For the command of Betar is the echo of my convictions – To the vow
That rises from the depths of my blood
The greatest freedom an individual can have is the ability to choose the principles according to which he will conduct himself. Our ideal framework of obedience is that one would choose for it to exist and to participate therein of one’s own free will.