Reply To: Anti-Semitic Apartment Rating

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#964630
rebdoniel
Member

There are several things we need to do in response to Anti-Semitism.

a) First and foremost, teshuva. Strengthening our shmirat hamitzvot and limud hatorah, especially mitzvot ben adam le chaveiro. Becoming more makpid in things like shmirat halashon, etc. is necessary. It is also horrible when Jews are in conflict among each other; one Jew hurting another is a tragedy, IMHO, when what we need is love.

b) Improving our ahavat yisrael and promoting unity. We need to be united as a community. The Nazis didn’t care who was Reform, Orthodox, Hasidic, or secular. They didn’t care who was Jewish by Orthodox standards, or Reform standards, or Neolog standards. They all suffered the same fate, r”l. Fsctionalism and sectarianism were also the factors that led to the destruction of Bayit haSheni. Organizations today such as the UJA/Federation, AIPAC, AJC, ADL, JNF, etc. represent the entire community and provide an effective means of advocating for Jewish interests.

c) Improving our ethics: The Shvet Yehuda (Ibn Verga) believed that a failure to act upon our universalist duties to gentiles and a lack of ethics and concern for their needs promoted anti-Semitism in Spain. The Seridei Esh said the same regarding German anti-Semitism. Ill-feelings need to be avoided, and we need to appreciate our duty to bury the dead, feed the hungry, and clothe the naked of all peoples, for all are G-d’s children.

d) Education: Making a kiddush HaShem and letting people know that Jews aren’t all like the crooks portrayed on the news is crucial. Through charitable and huanitarian efforts, as well as efforts to work together with other groups in promiting social welfare, we can achieve this. It is also as simple as offering your seat on the train to an elderly gentile, or helping gentiles with directions, or just having a kind word and a pleasant attiude towards all people. Remember: every person you see is a Tzelem Elokim.