Consider one half of one verse from this week's parasha, Ki Tetze (Deut. 21:10-26:19), and comment as you see fit.
Deut. 23:8b: "...You shall not abhor an Egyptian, for you were a stranger in his land."
Upon reading the parasha this week, I was struck by the Torah's words in this verse. In multiple places, all over the Torah, we are instructed by similar wisdom not to "oppress" or "mistreat" the stranger, because we were strangers in the land of Egypt. But this is the only instance, to my knowledge, in which we are specifically commanded not to abhor an Egyptian.
Given the slavemaster-to-slave relationship that the Torah depicts between Egyptians and Israelites, this verse becomes all the more noteworthy and surprising. And given the recent barrage of anti-Muslim bigotry defiling the spirit of religious freedom on which our country was founded, I believe that this verse offers meaningful wisdom for the moment in which we're living.
Never one to shy away from a noble "controversy for the sake of Heaven," I am eager to read your remarks.
Happy studying.
Respectfully submitted.
Rabbi Jonathan Blake
My take on "You shall not abhor (or despise, abominate) an Egyptian" (Deu 23:8) is aligned with that of Rashi, when he writes, "...What is the reason [that you may not despise them]? Because they hosted you in a time of dire need..."
ReplyDeleteI am not one to shy away from controversy; but, I don't see a strong parallel between this verse and the present day complexities surrounding the Cordoba Initiative.
I see the Cordoba Initiative as hoping to use the global visibility accorded Ground Zero to become a beacon of moderate--or, dare I say, American Reform—Islam, bridging Islam and the “West”. I think it bravely faces off against the traditional powers that be in the world Muslim community, from the perceived safety of America, ostensibly protected by our 1st Amendment. I think the Cordoba Initiative was probably surprised to find the Constitutional sands beneath its feet compromised by a tidal wave of American xenophobia. Sadly, this anti-Muslim bigotry has been picked up by the pre-election sparring between Right and Left. The matter has become less that of Islamic reform and more of a battle over fundamental American 1st Amendment principles and values. The Cordoba Initiative might consider cutting its losses and working to shore up the damaged position of Muslim Americans. Unfortunately (or fortunately), I think it is too late for that. Americans cannot let this issue be swept under the rug. It is too important to our Republic.
We as Jews know this better than most. Former NYC Mayor Ed Koch observed in a blog the power of George Washington’s letter to the Rhode Island Jewish Community in 1790 in which he wrote:
“The Citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy: a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent national gifts. For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support...”
I think these words from George Washington’s letter ring out at least as powerfully as Deu 23:8 on this issue.
“May the children of the Stock of Abraham, who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other Inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid.
May the father of all mercies scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us all in our several vocations useful here, and in his own due time and way everlastingly happy.
- G. Washington.”
A 2nd note… I believe the word “abhor” we are addressing in Deu 23:8 is in Hebrew ti‘ev (taf-AYIN-vet) or to loathe. Very interestingly, the dictionary says that te’ev (taf-ALEF-vet) is also to loathe or abhor. More interestingly, ta’av (taf-ALEF-vet) means to desire or long for. If this confuses you, you are not alone. :)
ReplyDeleteThis Cordoba issue is so full of inconsistencies that is hard to konw where to begin. First off I know that most Americans, myself included, do not want our government to control who builds a house of worship or where it is built. Now here is the real crux of the matter. To claim to want this high visibility position to espouse their moderate positions strains credulity to say the very least. As an Abrahamic faith as Islam claims to be,isn't the most important aspect of that faith to treat ones fellow human beings in the same manner that we want to be treated? To not cause harm or distress to our fellow human beings? It is obvious that the most and perhaps only important thing for the Cordoba group is to defy and ignore the feelings of others with the exporessed goal of causing distress to many many people. This group will triumph no matter what happens. If they build on Park Place they will be ignoring the pain and causing extreme distress to thousands of people. And if they change the location they will be viewed as cooperative and considerate people. A victory for them in either case. To quote another mayor, Rudy Guilliani, "If you are a healer you do not go forward with this project. If you're a warrior, you do."
ReplyDeleteFranklin.
Franklin,
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate your thoughtful and sensitive comment. Thank you.
It seems to me that the organizers of the Cordoba Initiative are certainly in a bind where the only way to go forward with their present plan means to undermine their stated mission which is the cultivation of tolerance. Despite my stated support for Cordoba, I do fear at this juncture that so much damage has already been done, it would only be like pouring salt in a wound. On the other hand I continue to feel pain that our country has responded with so much vitriol, it has become hard to tell the legitimate concerns from the bigoted outcries.
Shabbat Shalom to all!
I guess the way I see it is pretty different. I see no winners in this, unless we go forward with the Cordoba Initiative's plans. America wins if we uphold our Bill of Rights. I see the Muslim group as damned if they do and damned if they don't.
ReplyDeleteI have little patience for the argument that this should not go forward because of the feelings of 9-11 victims. We have been collectively planning and building a memorial to 9-11 victims for years now. Who were these victims? Were they all Christians? No. We know there were Jews. Family and friends in our immediate Community were directly affected. There also were dozens of Muslim victims of these Islamist fanatics. Do they somehow not count. Do we now need to communicate to our fellow Muslim neighbors in Downtown NYC that they need to respect a cordon of a quarter mile around Ground Zero? To me, that is an abhorrent thought.
This was not an act perpetrated by Islam. This was an act perpetrated by terrorists who exploited Islam for selfish political, militant and economic gain. Any position that presupposes the Islamic religion's culpability in this terror attack is at best misinformed.
I hope we Americans don't let those in our midst who would turn us into a very different Republic sell out our 1st Amendment rights for political ends. As for the victims of 9-11, ALL of the victims, they have suffered enough. Their grief and emotional reactions are all understandable. Let's not take away some of their 1st Amendment rights to boot.
As for causing undue distress, there are some who feel that the Women of the Wall cause many of our haredi brethren undue distress. I say that argument falls flat if women need to accept second class status and respect the cordon these men with vested interests impose. The Wall belongs to all of us collectively as a Jewish People. So too, Ground Zero belongs to all Americans, regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, or sexual orientation.
What this has to do with the huge number of mitzvot in this week's parashah, I confess I am not yet too sure... :) Perhaps we can collectively wrestle with this tomorrow.
Shabbat shalom,
David
The Egyptian of then is, in no way, comparable to the Muslim of today. The Torah refers to the Egyptian in whose domain Jews were granted residence. Certainly in the beginning of that era, Jews were given fair treatment. Only later, when they were conned into slavery, did their problems mount.
ReplyDeleteToday's Muslim therefore has no such association with Jews. In fact, most Muslim countries remain "Judenrein". And where it's not, they must keep a very low profile lest they be persecuted.
I wouldn't be so quick on the trigger to seek fine loopholes how to appease the imam at the Ground Zero mosque, whom you should learn about before you tout his cause. This is not an issue of rights. It's an issue of war against terrorism, and their Trojan Horse strategies. They cannot fight against our F-35s or big guns. So they must do it by stealth. Becoming poitically correct with them is tantamount to suicide.
If they don't choke us with demographics, they'll be at our throats as they are now doing in England and France, and most of Europe. This continent is already wheezing. Soon enough will come its collapse.
There IS a limit to the love that flows. If it is directed at the wrong target, that target will turn around and stab the do-gooder in the back.
Have a good week.
Rodney
If one seeks to clarify the swirling rumors about the Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, I suggest the following from the NYTimes, the Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/22/nyregion/22imamfacts.html?pagewanted=print
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/22/AR2010082201850_pf.html
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703589804575445671238186074.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
I would definitely NOT take the advice offered by David - only because the sources he cites are extremely leftist oriented, and will spin their stories to suit their agenda. The best sources, I would suggest, is to go to blogs, Conservative ones that will SHOW the imam talking, so you can make your own impression. You would NEVER see the imam's video on any liberal site such as those David cites.
ReplyDeleteRodney
Rodney, thank you very much for the education. I've never heard the WSJ referred to as "extremely leftist oriented". Maybe one day you and I can have a showdown outside of town and take turns producing reputable online citations...wait a minute...you've been making disparaging claims and assertions about this Imam without providing any citations at all--reputable or even Islamophobic blogs...
ReplyDeleteOut of respect for our Rabbi, though, I am going to suggest we return this discussion to Ki Tetze. If you have anything to contribute to my second post, I'd be very interested to hear it. In the meantime, shavuah tov. I look forward to seeing you at Torah Study next Shabbat.
David, I did not see the WSJ link. I saw the first two, and I recoiled.
ReplyDeleteSorry about that one.
The good rabbi spoke about the biblical Egyptian and tangentially referred to the "religious freedom" Jews have to serve up to the likes of Imam Abdul Rauf, as if Jews have bigotry to shed. This is not a matter of bigotry. There are times to be noble and times when we must not. Here are 2 links to show the other side has what the rabbi is attributing to Jews.
imam's own words:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=imam+rauf&aq=f
Good commentary on the mosque:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjS0Novt3X4&feature=player_embedded
Rodney