Have We Lost Our Senses?

Copied from Crosscurrents, by Marvin Schick:

The following is the concluding paragraph of an article in the current issue of Mishpacha:

If the article was written by an obscure figure in Jewish life, concern about its extremism would be ameliorated by the acknowledgement that the writer was speaking his own mind and few would pay heed. The author of the Mishpacha piece is Jonathan Rosenblum, deservedly a respected writer, and the sentiments that he expresses are shared by a great many in the Orthodox community. This adds both to the impact of the article and to the obligation to call the writer to task for his indulgence in paranoia and worse.

Comparisons with Hitler and the Holocaust are always odious and are to be avoided. What Rosenblum has written is odious and disgusting journalism. When such comparisons are made, it is necessary to protest.

What I write here has nothing to do with criticism of President Obama or his policy toward Iran. Reasonable people can certainly take issue with the President. There are boundaries, however and we religious Jews should not transgress by indulging in paranoid thinking.

My short answer: Perhaps in Israel, the answer is yes. Maybe it is something in the water, but (IMHO) the past few months have shown that there is certainly something very wrong going on there. Maybe the Satmer Rov is right, and Yidden can’t live in EY due to Sinas Chinum until Moshiach is already here. I don’t know, but know that I’m torn.