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The Three Musketeers © Jean-Christian Rostagni

The Three Musketeers, the original ones, really existed. They were fictionalized by Alexandre Dumas, but they indeed lived, and D’Artagnan was one of Louis XIV’s most trusted guards. They wore capes, large hats, and flamboyant mustaches. All in all the three men in black in this photograph have a style which is not so far from that of the Musketeers, while D’Artagnan in this version is a Palestinian.

Back to contemporary days. The ascetic Jews in the photograph are from a group that believes that the existence of the state of Israel goes against true Jewish spirituality. They believe that the Jews are only supposed to reach the Promised Land when the Messiah comes – consequently when the Jews are ready for that state of bliss – which is not now.

Beyond pure theology, they believe that the quest for the Promised Land is not to be taken literally, but rather that the benefit is in the journey, not the destination. They may have a point, as Israel was created to bring safety to the Jews, though to a large degree has accomplished the opposite. A pattern reminding me of the war in Iraq, which was supposed to defeat terrorism, but has only made it worse.

from Life On Mars, Part I November 17 - January 16, 2007
A Photo-Critique of America by Jean-Christian Rostagni