"What The Gentile Really Thinks"

In The Light of the Jewish Idea of Rabbi Kahane

by Nachum Shifren 

"We are happy to announce a ceasefire in Gaza," said a hopeful Shimon Peres, architect of the destruction of the Jewish state. 

No sooner had he said that, at least 10 missiles were fired by Arabs living in Gaza, identified only as "opposers of peaceful coexistence" with Israel. 

By now this has become the norm: we make peace, and they desire blood. NO matter what the Jew does, it will not be good enough--worse still, it will be taken as weakness. At this moment, Hizbollah (may they rot slowly in Hell) has MORE missles, anti-tank rounds, and shoulder fired rockets THAN BEFORE THE LEBANONESE WAR. Why? So they can make peace with us?  

An interesting commentary was made about the above and the causes of anti-Semitism. It was postulated that when a Jew has self-respect and believes in the Almighty, then reasons for hatred seem to be removed from the debate. When, however, he cowers and believes in George Bush instead of the Burning Bush, he tells the world that he is impotent and has desecrated G-d's name, the same G-d responsible for his very existence. The two seem to go hand in hand. 

This week's parsha shows our father Jacob's relationship to the evil Lavan. "Im lavan garti" (I dwelled with Lavan), he proudly declared, having spent twenty years of his life, mostly fending off the evil deeds of Lavan. Yet at no time did he kowtow or show any subservience to him. Precisely the opposite: "garti", Rashi tells us, is the gematria for "613" mitzvoth. So Jacob lived in the most horrific conditions, in a brutally oppressive spiritual environment, yet was able to keep G-d commandments and stay true to his heritage. 

Some reading this column may be familiar with the famous Jewish-rock drummer of the group, "Raya Me'hemna." Itzchak Bitton lived for many years in Morrocco during the turbulent 60's. When he one day ventured outside his home in an inappropriate (read "mod") attire, he was remarkably rebuked by Arabs walking down the street: "Your grandfather would turn over in his grave if he could see how you are dressed!" Think of it! Arabs, rebuking a Jew for not adhering to laws of modesty and Tzniut.

The same is true for the Land of Israel. Our Torah says that we will be "spit out" if we do not behave like Jews. IT IS NOT THE JEWISH WAY TO KOW-TOW BEFORE THE GOY OR DEBASE OURSELVES BEFORE THE LIKES OF BUSH OR RICE! Measure for measure, we will be repaid by Hashem for showing greater fear of them than of Him.  

One by one, in the preceding Torah portions, we are reminded through our Forfathers how to deal with the Gentile, not to mention with those bent on our destruction. And concerning the above, did our holy Rabbi Kahane declare: "I do not want the Gentile to love me. But he WILL respect me!" May it be His will that in these perilous days, when Israeli political leaders are more concerned with Gay rights than our survival as a people, that we hearken to the still, small voice with us, saying: "Return to me, and I shall return to you!"