PRESS RELEASE
December 29th 2011
RCA and OU Join in Condemning Extremist Violence in Beit Shemesh, Israel - and Call for Care to Not Assign Guilt to Entire Communities for the Actions of the Few
The Rabbinical Council of America and the Orthodox Union join together to strongly and unambiguously condemn the recent violence and intimidation committed by segments of the Jewish community in Beit Shemesh, Israel. As the largest body of Orthodox Rabbis, and the largest organization of Orthodox Synagogues, respectively, we call upon all involved to return to the peaceful ways of our sacred Torah and to respect the dignity of all human beings. It should be clear to all that this hateful activity does not represent Judaism.
We also urge all observers to recognize that the behavior of these hooligans does not in any way represent the attitude or demeanor of the Charedi community at large. The vast majority of Charedi Jews find these actions abhorrent, and the community should not be judged by the inexcusable conduct of a few.
Finally, as Rabbis and national congregational leaders we support the right and the duty of Israel's police to act with the full force of the law in putting an end to these illegal, and dangerous, activities.
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The "downward spiral" of zealotry must be reversed.
Shalom,
RRW
3 comments:
Somewhat better than the Agudah's "condemnation":
We agree with the fanatics' goals but worry that their methods will hamper implenetation of those goals.
not impressed. rabbis always know how to talk in a way that keeps their salaries flowing. This does not represent moral integrity. I am sorry but i just don't think orthodox rabbis have any idea of what human decency is t\and the events in beit shemesh prove me right. But i do believe that both working people and people that sit and learn Talmud are different and better. Somehow i highly doubt if you would find one single litvak among the evil disgusting people that have been attacking little girls.I can guarantee you wont find any bachurim from yeshivat Mir over there!
How about (taken from the cherem on baruch spinoza)
"After the judgment of the Angels, and with that of the Saints, we excommunicate, expel and curse and damn all who assault in any way the holy children going and coming from the holy Beit Sefer Orot in Beit Shemesh with the consent of God, Blessed be He, and with the consent of all the Holy Congregation, in front of the holy Scrolls with the six-hundred-and-thirteen precepts which are written therein, with the excommunication with which Joshua banned Jericho, with the curse with which Elisha cursed the boys, and with all the curses which are written in the Law... We order that nobody should communicate with any person involved or who sanctions these assaults orally or in writing, or show him any favor, or stay with him under the same roof, or within four ells of him, or read anything composed or written by him."
This I this would show some real stand. as it stands today whta bothers orthodox rabbis is that the public newspapers made their evil open to all.
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