Chabad Rabbi’s Frightening Comments… and my Thoughts on Treating Neighbors

June 4, 2009 · Filed Under Baum's Blog 

The May/June issue of “Moment Magazine” asks several rabbis how Jews should treat their Arab neighbors.  Rabbis from different streams of Judaism respond and you can read their answers.  I’ll just share with you the final and incredibly disturbing response.

Rabbi Manis Friedman wrote the following:
“I don’t believe in western morality, i.e. don’t kill civilians or children, don’t destroy holy sites, don’t fight during holiday seasons, don’t bomb cemeteries, don’t shoot until they shoot first because it is immoral.
The only way to fight a moral war is the Jewish way: Destroy their holy sites. Kill men, women and children (and cattle).” 

You can read his full answer here, but the part I quoted is enough for me.  And, by “enough” I mean enough to make me shocked, angry, and frightened.

I don’t know if Rabbi Friedman’s beliefs characterize other Chabad rabbis – I can only hope they do not.  These beliefs certainly do not come from the Judaism I celebrate.

His comments are disturbing, scary, and a reminder that there are religious extremists in every religion.  May our voice be louder than theirs.

Of course I’m not just going to criticize his words.  In thinking about my opinion about how Jews should treat their Arab neighbors, I find my beliefs are much more in line with President Obama’s than with Rabbi Friedman’s.  Shocking, I know.

Did you hear Obama’s speech in Egypt?  It was fabulous, and I hope it truly is a “new beginning” that will start a peaceful chapter in world history.

I am comforted by Obama’s promise to “relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave risk to our security.”  He continued, saying it’s “because we reject the same thing that people of all faiths reject: the killing of innocent men, women, and children.”  Apparently what he should have said was: people of all faiths— except for Rabbi Friedman— reject this.

Back to me.  Here’s my answer on one foot for how we should treat any neighbors.  With respect!  Naturally, when necessary we must defend ourselves while keeping the human rights of innocent people at the forefront.

Yes, for me this means sometimes standing up for Palestinians when it comes to issues around Israel.  I believe a two-state solution makes sense, and I am glad that President Obama is staying strong in rejecting Israeli settlements in Palestine.

I am not a politician or an expert on the Middle East, so I am happy to leave these decisions in the good hands of President Obama and our other public servants.  What I do know, though, is that I believe in protecting life – and in being fair to people regardless of their religion or color – unless of course they are violent extremists.  In the words of President Obama, “it is a sign neither of courage nor power to shoot rockets at sleeping children, or to blow up old women on a bus.”  Amen.

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