26 Iyyar, 5772
May 18th, 2012
41st Day of the Omer
By now, most have heard of Greece ’s
“Golden Dawn,” - the neo-Nazi party that recently won 7% of Parliament in
elections.
Now, it’s clear that Golden
Dawn’s power came through its opposition to the Greek Austerity Plan. However,these charming individuals are also known for opposition to foreign “filth”(read, immigrants), Holocaust denial, and general thuggery.
On days like this I think of
Aldous Huxley’s Ape and Essence: “The leech’s kiss, the
squid’s embrace,/The prurient ape’s defiling touch./And do you like the human
race?/No, not much.”
There is a prayer that Jews every
morning: “May it be your will, our God and God of our ancestors, to keep us
from insolence in others and arrogance in ourselves; from an evil person, an
evil friend, an evil neighbor, an evil encounter, and from destructive
accusations.”
This prayer is not the height of
optimism, but this week I understand it. May God keep us far away from such
people. May God reduce tolerance for their views in our midst. May God change
their hearts.
I am forced to point out that the
prayer mentions others and ourselves. Such mention is not accidental. A few weeks ago, this came across my desk.
For the many who do not speak
Hebrew, this gem is a mock wedding invitation between a Muslim man - Muhamad,
son of Navil and Oum Jihad - and a Jewish woman, whose name rendered means
“You should hope that this isn’t your daughter.”
The e-postcard, put out by an
Israeli “anti-assimilation organization” called Lehavah, therefore urges:
“Do not let your daughter work
with Arabs. Do not let her do National service with goyim. Do not buy from
stores that employ enemies (Arabs); Do not let goyish workers into your home.
This, of course, goes hand in hand
with a recent-years decree from rabbis not to sell or rent to Arabs.
What must be said is that the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict is beyond complicated. There are no butterflies or
rainbows. We are talking about deep hatred and enmity. However, how we respond
in our anger is of paramount importance. And before one goes to justify the
sentiments behind such an ad, please read the following. They are from various
German laws and speeches of the late 1930’s. My hope is that, seeing them, your
blood will run cold.
Ultimately, we will be judged not only for what we believe, but for
which beliefs we benignly tolerate.
SECTION 1
1. Marriages between
Jews and nationals of German or kindred blood are forbidden. Marriages
concluded in defiance of this law are void, even if, for the purpose of evading
this law, they are concluded abroad.
SECTION 3
Jews will not be permitted to
employ female nationals of German or kindred blood in their households.
Article 7
1. Jews cannot legally acquire
real estate and mortgages.
Deutsche! Wehrt Euch! Kauft nicht bei Juden (Germans!
Defend yourselves! Do not buy from Jews) – Slogan from the Nazi boycott against
Jews.