Israeli militarism not synonymous with Jewish morality
By RON FORTHOFER
9/14/01
William Corn's column attacking Professor Ira Chernus and attempting to denigrate Chernus by calling him "one hell of a Jew" was appalling. Professor Chernus embodies the highest ideals of Judaism in his support for equal human rights for all, including Israelis and Palestinians alike. The essence of Torah, as summarized by Hillel, "What is hateful to you, do not do to
others," reflects the historic
experience and ethical consciousness of the Jewish people and Professor Chernus
in particular. This perspective is what has allowed Judaism to evolve beyond a
simple tribal belief into a religion whose principles resonate with all of us.
In contrast, there are some who
repudiate these high ideals and revert to tribal mentality. These folks care
only for members of their tribe and the suffering of others is of no importance
to them. Rabbi Michael Lerner discussed this in the March/April 1998 issue of
Tikkun, noting that "If you judge . . . who is a people's God" by what they hold
sacred, where and for whom they are prepared to make sacrifices . . . then you
have to conclude that for much of the past 50 years the real object of worship
of much of the Jewish people has been Israel and Zionism . . . Judaism may be
one of Israel's most important casualties."
Lerner goes on to say "To the extent
that Judaism lost its ability to critique the distortions of the Jewish people,
to the extent that it has become a cheerleader for a particular state, its army,
its fund-raisers and its ideological support structure, Judaism has lost its
connection to God and Torah"
Elliot Abrams, assistant secretary of
state under former President Reagan reinforces Lerner's points when he argues
that "It is not too much to say that support for Israel became the key element
of Jewish faith for most American Jews. Support for Israel became central to
Jewish identity -- the core of the religion of American Jews."
In the fall 1994 issue of Reform
Judaism, Rabbi Alexander Schindler, then president of the Union of American
Hebrew Congregations, declared that, "For many Jews, the Land of Israel remains
the sole touchstone of their Jewish existence. They have for too long been
plugged into Israel as if it were a dialysis machine."
When Professor Chernus considers the plight of the Palestinians, he is echoing points made earlier. For example, in 1961, Martin Buber, the respected Jewish philosopher, touched upon similar concerns when he wrote:
"Only an internal revolution can have the power to heal our people of their murderous sickness of causeless hatred. It is bound to bring complete ruin upon us. Only then will the old and young in our land realize how great was our responsibility to those Arab refugees in whose towns we have settled Jews who were brought from afar; whose homes we have inherited, whose fields we now sow and harvest; the fruit of whose gardens, orchards and vineyards we gather; and in whose cities that we robbed, we put up houses of education, charity, and prayer while we babble and rave about being the "people of the
book' and a "light unto the
nations.'"
Professor Chernus joins with many
other conscientious Jews in the United States and Israel in calling for justice
for Palestinians and Israelis alike. Here are just a few of many groups
upholding the highest Jewish traditions:
¥ Rabbis for Human Rights (
www.rhr.israel.net )
¥ Gush Shalom (
www.gush-shalom.org )
¥ Bat Shalom (
www.batshalom.org )
¥ Jewish Unity for a Just Peace (
www.junity.org )
¥ Not in my Name: Taking Action for a
Just Peace in Israel and Palestine ( www.nimn.org
)
We are indeed fortunate to have
people like Professor Chernus in our midst. We need more like him -- people who
are willing to speak up for Jewish principles and common decency. Pursuing these
ideals will bring us closer to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, a
peace that will ensure security for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Ron Forthofer is a prominent local activist