What They Say, and What They Mean…
Rabbi Mendel Kaplan, Chabad @ Flamingo
The UN, EU, and other world leaders including most of our own politicians suddenly find themselves in unanimous agreement. With virtually no exception, a homogeneous chorus of protest rings throughout the globe. Not against murderous homicide bombers, or snipers who aim to kill babies. Not against children being taught to hate and murder, or the glorification of intentional martyrdom, bloodshed and death. Instead the vociferous criticisms are directed at the “aggressive” actions of the IDF, who are desperately, and valiantly, trying to root out terror without hurting innocent people.
The mass media largely tells the same story. Almost entirely preoccupied with the “sad fate of the Palestinians,” the “equally” tragic loss of Jewish lives somehow doesn’t make the same grade as shocking news or headlines. When the victims are Jewish, CNN and the nightly newscast producers don’t find the “human interest” angle as appealing for prime time television.
To be sure, the justice of Israel’s cause, despite possible failings and imperfections at times, is glaringly obvious. What is equally obvious is the bias and bigotry being perpetuated. Surpassing all reasonable expectations the anti-Israel slant is clear and unmistakable.
Which brings me to the point of this article. They aren’t saying what they really mean. They say Israel, but they mean Jews. Let’s not fool ourselves. After decades of being politically incorrect and unacceptable, “good old-fashioned” anti-Semitism is making one heck of a comeback. Although Nazi, Fascist Bigot or even anti-Semite are still “dirty words,” our enemies have managed to rehabilitate this age-old hatred and chauvinism by renaming it “pro-Palestinian” or “anti-Israeli”.
For the willing participant in this ugly tidal wave of hatred, the camouflage and artful smokescreen does its job well. For us however, not to see through it, is utter stupidity. If Durban didn’t make it clear enough six months ago, then the last few weeks in France, Tunisia, Berlin, Kiev and downtown Toronto should have.
From a Torah perspective, the skillful attempts made by the anti-Semites of the world to conceal the true nature of their vile intentions come as no surprise. According to the teachings of the Kabballah, raw or naked evil never has any allure. Pure and unadulterated wickedness will rarely garner popular support. To succeed it must first covers its hideous face.
For the sake of clarity, here are a few modern examples: Hitler claimed to be saving his country and ridding the world of the worst diseases with his “Final Solution.” Stalin presented his homicidal and oppressive strategies as a courageous attempt to bring the universe the “true” peace and “equality” of Communism. Milosevic still claims to be a sincere and patriotic defender of “glorious” Yugoslavian “values.” And Bin Laden justifies his campaigns of terror as righting the wrongs imposed by the Western World upon his “unfortunate brethren”.
A casual study of the world’s bloody history will easily confirm this axiom. The architects of genocidal massacres have almost always presented their “crusades” as “ethical and humane”!
Tragically, the pan-Arab visions for the future of Eretz Yisroel are no different. For more than the better part of the last century, they have consistently endeavored to exterminate the Jews living in the Holy Land. After the formal declaration of a Jewish State, they ruthlessly initiated five wars causing the unnecessary death of thousands of Jews and Arabs. The PLO charter still calls for the total destruction of the State of Israel. Yet as all faithful adherents of true evil have always done, the honest intentions have been ingeniously disguised.
Veiling their genocidal wishes as an ardent desire to “resettle three million helpless refugees” by granting them the “right to return”, or liberating occupied “ancient” Palestinian land from an “alien” conqueror sound morally compelling, just and even meritorious. If blowing up innocent men, woman and children would be truthfully presented as attempting to kill and maim as many Jews as possible, the civilized world might not be able accept it. Instead, it is presented as “an expression of the deepest frustrations of an unfairly oppressed people”, and ironically harvests an outpouring of sympathy for the perpetrators rather than the victims of this cold-blooded murder!
It is sad and painful indeed, to see most of the civilized world rehabilitate their old animosities and racisms against the Jewish people. It is even more painful and sadder yet, to see possibly well-intentioned Jews who unwittingly join them in the anti-Semitic fest. Jews who, in their passionate desire for, and pursuit of peace, reconciliation and loving kindness, naively and foolishly buy the deceitful, yet brilliantly packaged PR proffered by these murderous dictators and terrorists.
Don’t despair, we have seen worse times, and we shall overcome these newest travails as well. G‑d will never forsake us. As He has miraculously sustained us through horrible and unimaginable times during the past two thousand years of Galut, G‑d will continue to preserve us. As King David states in the book of Psalms (94; 14) “. Lo yitosh Hashem Amo..” (G‑d will not abandon his people).
However, that faithful sentiment and surety doesn’t mean we should sit and wait to be attacked. The same Torah tells us that we must do our part with the greatest possible effort.
“Kivsa Achat beyn shiv’im Z’evim” (a lone sheep amongst seventy [hungry] wolves). This is the Torah terminology used to characterize our tenuous existence. For six decades the wolves have (relatively) beenat bay. Now that traditional anti-Semitism has assumed a new, and politically correct countenance, many have once again gleefully pounced.
Fellow Jews: Wake up, and stop trying to ignore reality. The lower we lay, the more damage we allow. Anti-Semitism may be at our doorstep, but that doesn’t mean we have to tolerate it. Educate yourself. Know the facts, and defend Israel. This will allow you to strip away the sophisticated veneer that Arafat and his ilk have painted. You can, and should engage your neighbours, associates and friends, if after you attempts to educate prove unsuccessful and the pellucid logic of Israel’s position isn’t accepted, then go ahead and call it like it is.
Sticking our heads in the sand will only allow this new hurricane to gain momentum and strength. Plain old anti-Semitism isn’t that fashionable yet. By identifying this bigotry straightforwardly, we will, G‑d willing, succeed (if even modestly) in stemming the flow of venomous hatred. Let’s continue exhibiting Jewish pride, and increase our Torah study and observance of Mitzvoth.
The time is now. The place is here. Join us for Services, Torah study and communal events. At The Family Shul we can help you maximize your spiritual potential, and fulfill your mandate of being a “Light unto the Nations” as a proud part of the Jewish people. Everything in here waiting for you, the next move is YOURS!
Wising you a very pleasant summer, I look forward to seeing you here soon.
Most sincerely yours
Rabbi Mendel Kaplan