Moral Clarity, Free Speech, and Why a Rabbi Must Advocate for His People
Responding to critics on the North Shore: why defending Jewish safety and dignity transcends partisan politics
My post on Friday was not political. I merely expressed astonishment that so many public officials are on board with the moral relativism that appears to be a trending zeitgeist. I do have a big heart but it is broken right now because my extended family, my Jewish brothers and sisters are being held hostage by cruel Hamas Terrorists. They are being tortured, raped, starved, and killed.
Do you actually believe this post was about President Trump? Nowhere did I mention my political views. As far as I know, none of you were in the voting booth with me last election. Do you think this was about the First Amendment? Which is of course dear to me and my family who are also immigrants from the former Soviet Union. And they also feel blessed to this day to have been taken in as refugees to this country.
If I came/come to the conclusion that this country has begun randomly deporting innocent people I would of course not support that at all. But I will make that determination for myself. My moral compass is in good working order and there’s no need to preach to me.
On that note I am thrilled about this particular woman and others like her being arrested in the high profile way they have been. She is not an innocent woman. The fact that she expressed an opinion in support of Hamas, an entity that is an enemy of America, an arch enemy of free speech, an enemy of western civilisation, and an enemy to any woman who pursues a higher education shouldn’t be overlooked.
But I am a Rabbi. And I will advocate for my people. By supporting Hamas this woman (who has left you heartbroken??really?) openly celebrates the right of Hamas Terrorists to rape Israeli Women. There is NO wiggle room here. Sorry. I have no compassion for a person like this. Zero. Why is this so hard to understand?
Sometimes you have to be able to cut through the rhetoric and the stereotyping in order to see things in their simple stark truth. Even if it’s unpopular. Even if the optics are not on your side.
This person who is breaking your hearts emboldens terrorists and terrorism. Her “opinion” is not a benign perspective. She and her fellow brainwashed students have DIRECTLY and consistently celebrated and cheered hamas. Beginning on October 8th long before Israel re entered Gaza.
If your child was being held in Gaza I can promise that you would finally feel heard and grateful that she was deported. She was “picked up on the street”? Thats breaking your heart? I can guarantee that she is being treated well unlike the hostages, who are starving to death. This woman supports that. By supporting hamas she and her cohorts sent a message that encouraged Hamas to keep these hostages captive. They literally have blood on their hands.
On a different note. For those of you who actually believe in Free Speech for all people at all times— where have you been hiding? Free Speech has actually been under attack for quite some time. I urge you to roll up your sleeves and get to work. There is much to be done, especially on College campuses across this country where young Americans who have not yet succumbed to radical groupthink tactics—have been systematically silenced, marginalized, harassed, and frequently physically endangered. There is no such thing as selective free speech. But it doesn’t exist on these campuses, not if you are Pro Israel—that’s for sure.
If you care about the future of this country, you should be concerned and outraged by the utter disregard and disdain for critical thinking that is literally a dystopian nightmare unfolding in front of our eyes. It is not a Jewish problem. It is a deeply concerning American problem.
But I am a Rabbi and I will advocate for my people. And I will not be silenced or bullied with sanctimoniously hollow stereotypes, nor will I subscribe to the fetish of pseudo righteousness.
Jewish Students have literally been terrified to openly identify as Jews. I urge you to try and schedule a pro Israel speaking engagement at Tufts or Harvard.
Good luck with that.
Also, if you can’t see to respect my point of view as much as your own without demeaning comments then you undermine the very spirit and ethos of a free and robust exchange of ideas that is the cornerstone of the first amendment itself.
Shavua Tov,
and still and always with much Love,
Rabbi Yossi
For my friends who wish to talk this through face to face you are welcome to buy me a beer any time. I promise I will hear you out with respect and the thoughtfulness you deserve.