INSIGHT BATTLING ANTI-SEMITISM The
world, though, seems to have gone through at least some change as a result of
the 1960s. Diversity has not only become the rule but, in many ways, desired.
In A
group of any type must have something that binds them. One may be common
actions. Another may be common values. A group in accepting diversity in action
must still promote some common value upon which the group can crystallize. That
is the challenge of modern society. Even as we accept diversity in action,
which may also reflect some diversity in values, is there the necessary common,
shared value upon which the group can grow? This is the further challenge
presented by anti-Semitism today. It is not simply that today’s anti-Semite
maintains hatred against Jews. Today’s anti-Semite may actually declare that
he/she has no ill feelings against Jews. It is just that today’s anti-Semite
wishes to maintain, as the common value that should serve as the basis of the
collective, a value that necessarily challenges Jewish values. Today’s battle
against anti-Semitism thus must include the need to show the greater society
that the common value that should bind us cannot be one that challenges Jewish
values. This is not solely because thereby Jews can remain part of the greater
group. This battle must emerge from the recognition that any group’s common
value that necessarily challenges Jewish values is not a good value upon which
to form any group. This,
in fact, is actually part of the lesson of Purim as well. Malbim, Esther 3:6 responds to the question why, in his anger and
hatred of Mordechai, Haman turned against Mordechai’s nation. What did the
Jewish nation do to him? Malbim answers that the courtly people around Haman
told him that the reason that Mordechai did not bow down was because of the
beliefs of Mordechai’s nation. Mordechai was a problem because he advocated for
Jewish values. Thus Haman knew that, to achieve his desired goal, it would not
be enough to rid himself of Mordechai, the man, but he must also rid the
kingdom of this nation which promoted a value that was a challenge to him and
the values upon which he wished to build the society.5
This would also explain why the Purim story had to conclude with the defeat and
destruction of these forces, within Persian society, that would also promote
such values. Even under a banner of tolerance and the acceptance of diversity,
a common value that challenges the very essence of Jewish values cannot be
tolerated. A common value that binds a group can only accept diversity that
does not challenge it. Mordechai understood that those followers of Haman who
would continue in his path would not only challenge Jews but also a common
value that would be accepting of Jewish values. That is not only bad for the
Jews. It is also bad for the greater society. The
recognition of this principle is most important in our present society. Battling
anti-Semitism is not simply about protecting and fighting for Jews. It is a
battle for the very essence of our greater world communities. Every society,
even and perhaps especially, as it accepts greater diversity, must define a
common value upon which the society stands. Those who challenge Jews further
contest Jewish values that would defy a common value that they wish for
society. By battling such individuals we are also fighting for the recognition
that any common value upon which a society can be positively formed must
include a positive recognition of essential Jewish values. Rabbi Benjamin Hecht Footnotes 1 Esther 3:8. 2 Rashi, Megilla 13b, d.h.
d’mafki. See, further, Torah Temima, Esther 3:8,
note 19. Interestingly, see also Ben
Ish Chai, Ben Yehoyada, Megilla 13b, d.h. d’mafki as he deals with the
question as to why this would not only be an issue on Shabbat and holidays themselves but would affect the ability of the
Jews to do work on other days as well. 3 Shemot 19:6. 4 See,
further, Rashi and Rabbi S.R. Hirsch. 5. A
distinction is often made between the anti-Semitism presented of Chanukah,
which was a religious anti-Semitism, and that of Purim which was ethnic. This
view of Malbim indicates that, while there is value in this distinction, it is
not as simple as one may first think. (c) Nishma, 2009
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© 2006 NISHMA