Comments on: Unfair to Cry “Unfair” http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2006/01/23/unfair-to-cry-%e2%80%9cunfair%e2%80%9d/ A Journal of Jewish Thought and Opinion Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:44:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Rabbi David Abrahams http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2006/01/23/unfair-to-cry-%e2%80%9cunfair%e2%80%9d/#comment-51623 Rabbi David Abrahams Fri, 27 Jan 2006 18:49:54 +0000 http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2006/01/23/unfair-to-cry-%e2%80%9cunfair%e2%80%9d/#comment-51623 First, we need to keep a sense of perspective here. Determination of Hillul ha-Shem ultimately is in the eye of the beholder -- HaShem. Secondly, I strongly agree with Amanda Rush's comment. There are many Jews who, in their daily work milieu, are the only Jew their co-workers may know. In small towns throughout this country, and particularly in the Midwest and Southern "Bible Belt" communities, where virtually any Jew is considered a "spokesperson" for Judaism. Many non-observant Jews who are not knowledgeable about Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, Renewal or modern Jewish practices are asked daily about the meanings of Jewish customs, rituals and ethical requirements. In that sense, all of us -- not just Jack Abramoff -- live, to a certain extent, in a "fishbowl." Is that anti-Semitism, or is it curiosity? It may be a combination. Whatever it is, it is just one more reason why every Jew should be committed to lifelong learning, so as to live in accordance with commandments which do hold us to high standards of legal and moral accountability. David E. Abrahams Rabbi, Congregation Etz Chaim Fairport, NY First, we need to keep a sense of perspective here. Determination of Hillul ha-Shem ultimately is in the eye of the beholder — HaShem.

Secondly, I strongly agree with Amanda Rush’s comment. There are many Jews who, in their daily work milieu, are the only Jew their co-workers may know. In small towns throughout this country, and particularly in the Midwest and Southern “Bible Belt” communities, where virtually any Jew is considered a “spokesperson” for Judaism. Many non-observant Jews who are not knowledgeable about Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, Renewal or modern Jewish practices are asked daily about the meanings of Jewish customs, rituals and ethical requirements. In that sense, all of us — not just Jack Abramoff — live, to a certain extent, in a “fishbowl.” Is that anti-Semitism, or is it curiosity? It may be a combination. Whatever it is, it is just one more reason why every Jew should be committed to lifelong learning, so as to live in accordance with commandments which do hold us to high standards of legal and moral accountability.

David E. Abrahams
Rabbi, Congregation Etz Chaim
Fairport, NY

]]> By: yitz http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2006/01/23/unfair-to-cry-%e2%80%9cunfair%e2%80%9d/#comment-51612 yitz Fri, 27 Jan 2006 15:33:48 +0000 http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2006/01/23/unfair-to-cry-%e2%80%9cunfair%e2%80%9d/#comment-51612 I certainly can say that within my family, we have many arguments, yet o our friends we seem very kind, and accepting people. It often takes a step back to appreciate what we have. I don't think anyone likes crisizm, yet I don't think anyone would feel bad about being expected to be a role model who is held to a higher standard. You're words certainly are uplifting and gave me a great perspective. Just one comment to Nachum, even if your agument is true (which there is what to talk about), we still are role models for a higher life, but still a good feeling should permeate our being. I just want to point out that I don't think that this thought will bring about haughtiness, because being in a spot light like we are in, if we'd ever try to have a better than thou attitude, we'd get it over our heads - certainly here, thankfully. I certainly can say that within my family, we have many arguments, yet o our friends we seem very kind, and accepting people. It often takes a step back to appreciate what we have. I don’t think anyone likes crisizm, yet I don’t think anyone would feel bad about being expected to be a role model who is held to a higher standard. You’re words certainly are uplifting and gave me a great perspective. Just one comment to Nachum, even if your agument is true (which there is what to talk about), we still are role models for a higher life, but still a good feeling should permeate our being.
I just want to point out that I don’t think that this thought will bring about haughtiness, because being in a spot light like we are in, if we’d ever try to have a better than thou attitude, we’d get it over our heads - certainly here, thankfully.

]]> By: Nachum http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2006/01/23/unfair-to-cry-%e2%80%9cunfair%e2%80%9d/#comment-51451 Nachum Tue, 24 Jan 2006 16:27:23 +0000 http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2006/01/23/unfair-to-cry-%e2%80%9cunfair%e2%80%9d/#comment-51451 If he'd been a Christian and wore a big cross, they'd make a deal out of it. He's Jewish and wore a hat, so they made a deal out of it. I don't see the issue there. If he’d been a Christian and wore a big cross, they’d make a deal out of it. He’s Jewish and wore a hat, so they made a deal out of it. I don’t see the issue there.

]]> By: tzura http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2006/01/23/unfair-to-cry-%e2%80%9cunfair%e2%80%9d/#comment-51419 tzura Mon, 23 Jan 2006 22:13:14 +0000 http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2006/01/23/unfair-to-cry-%e2%80%9cunfair%e2%80%9d/#comment-51419 I tend to agree with 1.5. I haven't noticed anything egregious or unusual about the level of reporting on Abramoff's Jewishness. In fact, I've actually been suprised at how little his Jewishness has been mentioned, considering how much Abramoff made it a part of his professional persona. If I was an antisemite, I think I'd be upset at how little the media has made of it. I tend to agree with 1.5. I haven’t noticed anything egregious or unusual about the level of reporting on Abramoff’s Jewishness. In fact, I’ve actually been suprised at how little his Jewishness has been mentioned, considering how much Abramoff made it a part of his professional persona. If I was an antisemite, I think I’d be upset at how little the media has made of it.

]]> By: Eliezer Barzilai http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2006/01/23/unfair-to-cry-%e2%80%9cunfair%e2%80%9d/#comment-51416 Eliezer Barzilai Mon, 23 Jan 2006 22:06:08 +0000 http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2006/01/23/unfair-to-cry-%e2%80%9cunfair%e2%80%9d/#comment-51416 Anyone who remembers his adolescence will agree that religious beliefs, no matter how strongly held, don’t make anyone safe from the engines of avarice or lust. If Moses’ grandson and the prophet Yeshayahu’s grandson could so lose themselves to their dark sides, how can we be so unsympathetic to our contemporaries? Human weakness does not demonstrate religious failure, but only shows how deeply in denial a person can be about the sinfulness of his behavior and the likelihood of getting caught. While we all need to take this case to heart as an object lesson and a warning, we can all be a little less judgmental about the fallen. Anyone who remembers his adolescence will agree that religious beliefs, no matter how strongly held, don’t make anyone safe from the engines of avarice or lust. If Moses’ grandson and the prophet Yeshayahu’s grandson could so lose themselves to their dark sides, how can we be so unsympathetic to our contemporaries? Human weakness does not demonstrate religious failure, but only shows how deeply in denial a person can be about the sinfulness of his behavior and the likelihood of getting caught. While we all need to take this case to heart as an object lesson and a warning, we can all be a little less judgmental about the fallen.

]]> By: Amanda Rush http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2006/01/23/unfair-to-cry-%e2%80%9cunfair%e2%80%9d/#comment-51412 Amanda Rush Mon, 23 Jan 2006 20:48:24 +0000 http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2006/01/23/unfair-to-cry-%e2%80%9cunfair%e2%80%9d/#comment-51412 I don't think the expectation of living up to higher standards applies so much because of Jewish orthodoxy so much as it does on one's Jewish visibility. For instance, I can't call myself strictly Orthodox, because I'm not completely observant, but since I dress modestly and keep kosher, I get held to a higher standard when I'm in the company of my co-workers, because I'm the only Jew most of them have ever seen, let alone spoken to. I don’t think the expectation of living up to higher standards applies so much because of Jewish orthodoxy so much as it does on one’s Jewish visibility.
For instance, I can’t call myself strictly Orthodox, because I’m not completely observant, but since I dress modestly and keep kosher, I get held to a higher standard when I’m in the company of my co-workers, because I’m the only Jew most of them have ever seen, let alone spoken to.

]]> By: Jewish Observer http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2006/01/23/unfair-to-cry-%e2%80%9cunfair%e2%80%9d/#comment-51411 Jewish Observer Mon, 23 Jan 2006 20:33:49 +0000 http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2006/01/23/unfair-to-cry-%e2%80%9cunfair%e2%80%9d/#comment-51411 Gut gezokt (well articulated)! - JO Gut gezokt (well articulated)!

- JO

]]> By: Steve Brizel http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2006/01/23/unfair-to-cry-%e2%80%9cunfair%e2%80%9d/#comment-51407 Steve Brizel Mon, 23 Jan 2006 19:19:42 +0000 http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2006/01/23/unfair-to-cry-%e2%80%9cunfair%e2%80%9d/#comment-51407 Kudos to Rabbi Feldman for addressing the issue that seems to have required such pilpulim when a simple reading of the relevant Psukim, sugyos and views of Rishonim and Poskim would have led any educated Jew to conclude that Chillul HaShem was involved herein, regardless of Abramoff's level of knowledge or observance. Kudos to Rabbi Feldman for addressing the issue that seems to have required such pilpulim when a
simple reading of the relevant Psukim, sugyos and views of Rishonim and Poskim would have led any
educated Jew to conclude that Chillul HaShem was involved herein, regardless of Abramoff’s level of
knowledge or observance.

]]> By: shmuel http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2006/01/23/unfair-to-cry-%e2%80%9cunfair%e2%80%9d/#comment-51406 shmuel Mon, 23 Jan 2006 19:08:27 +0000 http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2006/01/23/unfair-to-cry-%e2%80%9cunfair%e2%80%9d/#comment-51406 It is unfortunate thought that if the news reports are correct JA used his Orthodxy as a means to attarct clients and also used his ill gotten wealth to establish kosher restuarnts and yeshivas, making his religious affiliations fair game for the media. It is unfortunate thought that if the news reports are correct JA used his Orthodxy as a means to attarct clients and also used his ill gotten wealth to establish kosher restuarnts and yeshivas, making his religious affiliations fair game for the media.

]]> By: 1.5 opinions http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2006/01/23/unfair-to-cry-%e2%80%9cunfair%e2%80%9d/#comment-51403 1.5 opinions Mon, 23 Jan 2006 18:14:20 +0000 http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2006/01/23/unfair-to-cry-%e2%80%9cunfair%e2%80%9d/#comment-51403 I agree wholeheartedly. I would like to point out one related point: While Jack Abramoff's orthodox affiliation is of greater interest to the media, a news figure's Jewish identity independent of affiliation is rarely left out of a story. There have been so many times that my wife has asked how I knew someone to be Jewish. Simple, I respond, it said so in the article. Whether criminal defendents (see Enron), tech leaders (Andy groves or Larry Ellison), or otherwise, journalists can never seem to avoid the quick mention of a Jewish background or upbringing. I don't think that there is any antisemitism at play at all. It is just an odd quirk of the reporting, I suppose. I agree wholeheartedly. I would like to point out one related point: While Jack Abramoff’s orthodox affiliation is of greater interest to the media, a news figure’s Jewish identity independent of affiliation is rarely left out of a story. There have been so many times that my wife has asked how I knew someone to be Jewish. Simple, I respond, it said so in the article. Whether criminal defendents (see Enron), tech leaders (Andy groves or Larry Ellison), or otherwise, journalists can never seem to avoid the quick mention of a Jewish background or upbringing. I don’t think that there is any antisemitism at play at all. It is just an odd quirk of the reporting, I suppose.

]]> By: David http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2006/01/23/unfair-to-cry-%e2%80%9cunfair%e2%80%9d/#comment-51400 David Mon, 23 Jan 2006 17:46:27 +0000 http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2006/01/23/unfair-to-cry-%e2%80%9cunfair%e2%80%9d/#comment-51400 Perhaps the concept of Hillul Hashem exists precisely because the Halakhah is aware of rampant anti semitism in the world (halakhah hi be-yadu'a she-Eisav soneh le-Ya'akov - it is a known precept that Eisav hates Ya'akov). Perhaps "It is a recognition that Orthodoxy has a higher standard, and anyone who would stand under its umbrella is held – I think rightfully – to this higher standard" - is just a way that Orthodox Jews give a positive spin to world events and not what the world actually thinks. I have never heard such an argument articulated by anybody other than Orthodox Jews. I think we need to check whether we are merely deluding ourselves into this thinking... Clearly, we need to focus on our own betterment in many ways, but as history has shown, no matter what Jews do, or how they act - they will always be criticized. Perhaps the concept of Hillul Hashem exists precisely because the Halakhah is aware of rampant anti semitism in the world (halakhah hi be-yadu’a she-Eisav soneh le-Ya’akov - it is a known precept that Eisav hates Ya’akov).
Perhaps “It is a recognition that Orthodoxy has a higher standard, and anyone who would stand under its umbrella is held – I think rightfully – to this higher standard” - is just a way that Orthodox Jews give a positive spin to world events and not what the world actually thinks.
I have never heard such an argument articulated by anybody other than Orthodox Jews. I think we need to check whether we are merely deluding ourselves into this thinking…
Clearly, we need to focus on our own betterment in many ways, but as history has shown, no matter what Jews do, or how they act - they will always be criticized.

]]> By: Yeshoua http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2006/01/23/unfair-to-cry-%e2%80%9cunfair%e2%80%9d/#comment-51399 Yeshoua Mon, 23 Jan 2006 17:17:48 +0000 http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2006/01/23/unfair-to-cry-%e2%80%9cunfair%e2%80%9d/#comment-51399 Rabbi Feldman, Excellent I hope people will heed to what you say instead of worrying whether someone is modern, charedi or dati leumi whether a person wears a hat a kippa suruga or whatever. Lets spend more time time on teaching torah and middos and doing chesed. kol tov Rabbi Feldman,
Excellent I hope people will heed to what you say instead of
worrying whether someone is modern, charedi or dati leumi whether
a person wears a hat a kippa suruga or whatever. Lets spend more time
time on teaching torah and middos and doing chesed.

kol tov

]]> By: Ari Stern http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2006/01/23/unfair-to-cry-%e2%80%9cunfair%e2%80%9d/#comment-51398 Ari Stern Mon, 23 Jan 2006 17:11:10 +0000 http://www.cross-currents.com/archives/2006/01/23/unfair-to-cry-%e2%80%9cunfair%e2%80%9d/#comment-51398 Yasher Koach Rabbi Feldman, for succinctly summing up the issue at hand. Yasher Koach Rabbi Feldman, for succinctly summing up the issue at hand.

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