Our nation is rife with debate over President Bush's new "surge" strategy in the Iraqi War. Even as we argue over the pros and cons of this conflict, the rhetoric is rapidly heating up over Iran's meddling in Iraq as well as her nuclear aspirations. Much of the discussion is uncomfortably familiar to what was heard just prior to launching the battle against Saddam Hussein. However laudable and justifiable you might think the goals of the Iraqi War are, it is clear to one and all that the conflict has not gone well, and the President's surge tactics are a last-ditch effort to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. The events in Iraq ought to give us pause as we ponder what to do about Iran.

It would certainly be a tragic mistake to assume that military action is the only efficacious response to diplomatic deadlocks. Indeed, there is a limit to what can be accomplished by flexing American muscles. In reality, patience, tact, and diplomatic skill should not be regarded as signs of weakness, but of exemplary strength.

That patience and restraint can be a virtue, not a vice, was surely evident to the Talmudic sage, Ben Zoma, who declared: "Who is strong? He who can control himself, as it is said, he that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth over his spirit, than he that taketh a city" (Proverbs XVI:32). The average person is inclined to think that a strong person is someone who can beat up all the challengers. The Jewish view, however, is that conquering yourself is the most difficult feat of all. History normally regards Alexander the Great as one of the strongest men of all time since he forged a huge empire, but in the eyes of the Talmud, he was a weakling whose inability to subdue his appetites resulted in his eating and drinking himself to death at a young age. The most outstanding warrior in the annals of our past was the scholarly patriarch, Jacob, who spent a whole night wrestling, not somebody else, but himself, with the consequence that he emerged as the progenitor of an important people.

To be sure, there may be times when a military response is called for. Different situations require different strategies. The proper option has to be determined on a case by case basis. Certainly in Jewish history, the events of Chanukah show what valor and courage on the battlefield can achieve. The military feats of the Maccabees succeeded magnificently in preserving the religious freedom of our ancestors. On the other hand, the holiday of Purim, which will be observed this month, celebrates the defeat of Haman's designs to exterminate the Jews of Persia, the name by which this country used to be known prior to Iran; and this was a feat attained by non-military means.

The joyous observance of Purim was made possible by the political and diplomatic skills of Mordecai and Esther who foiled Haman's nefarious intentions. When Mordecai heard about Haman's evil designs he said to Esther: "Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then will relief and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place, but thou and thy father's house will perish; and who knoweth whether thou art come to royal estate for such a time as this?" Esther then proceeded to utilize her position and her talents to expose Haman's malicious plot against the Jewish people. Although the Bible informs us that many enemies of the Jews were killed after Haman was dismissed from power, it is clear that Purim is a celebration, not of military prowess, but of political tact and skill. It is hard to imagine that a military upheaval against the Persian government would have been more effective in foiling Haman than the shrewd diplomatic maneuverings of Mordecai and Esther.

The story of Purim demonstrates the venerable diplomatic adage: "Patience is a bitter cup that only the strong can drink."