This is part of Marc H. Ellis’s “Exile and the Prophetic” feature for Mondoweiss. To read the entire series visit the archive page.
It’s an amazing witch hunt right now. Rabbi’s are under scrutiny for ethical violations. Peeping Rabbis in the mikvah and assorted violations relating to sex. All for the good I suppose.
Other ethical violations are under reported or, actually, never mentioned. Like rabbis enabling congregants to flaunt International Law by supporting Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian territory. Or, going back further, rabbis helping deflect their congregants conscience from the birth of Israel in the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in 1948.
So who’s investigating rabbis who cross the line is quite relevant when the red line is identified and expanded. But, then, if the entire Jewish establishment is in denial of these war crimes committed by Jews in the name of the Jewish people, who will investigate them?
The Jewish case is much like the police and the need for independent investigations of crimes committed by the police. Since the blue line of silence is hardly ever crossed by the police themselves, independent investigations are a must. Other government agencies have to step in. In the case of the Jewish establishment until now the only watchdogs have been progressive Jews who, it turns out, deflect the same crimes the Jewish establishment deflects. Only with the emergence of Jews of Conscience has the Jewish establishment been called to task. Unfortunately, Jews of Conscience don’t have subpoena power.
Jews of Conscience don’t even have a court, except one. The court of Jewish history. And it seems that this court, though lacking material power in the present, is drawing an incredible amount of attention by establishment Jews in America and Israel, including the rabbis. For aren’t Jews involved in the BDS movement, say, Boycott From Within, or Ilan Pappe’s, The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine, declaring historic judgments against the abuse of Jewish power meted out to the Palestinian people?
So the answer to the question of who’s investigating rabbis who cross the line is clear. Jews are. In the name of Jewish history. And that judgment is already in. The rabbinate, broadly considered, at the most crucial juncture in Jewish history, after the Holocaust and after Israel and what Israel has done and is doing to the Palestinian people, is a scandal to Jewish history. Sex is the least of it.
Super piece, Marc!
“The rabbinate, broadly considered, at the most crucial juncture in Jewish history, after the Holocaust and after Israel and what Israel has done and is doing to the Palestinian people, is a scandal to Jewish history. Sex is the least of it.”
Amen.
“Ben White
… 48 years ago, 11 June 1967, Israel completed the demolition of Jerusalem’s Mughrabi Quarter that had begun the previous night. Families were “given a few minutes to leave their homes.” [1] A Palestinian woman was killed when her home was bulldozed on top of her. An Israeli lieutenant colonel who oversaw the destruction acknowledged that even though Palestinian residents had “refused to depart”, he gave the orders “to begin the demolitions nevertheless.” [2] More than 600 were expelled, and some 135 homes destroyed. The Mughrabi Quarter had existed for some 800 years, and in a matter of hours, it was gone. And what was created, in its place? The Western Wall Plaza. Israel – creating ‘facts on the ground’ from 1948 to 2015.”
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10101325647938070&set=a.712225871850.2443859.36914170&type=1&theater
Stephen Shenfeld shared this yesterday evening:
“The Temple Institute in Jerusalem has announced that it has finished building an altar suitable for the Temple service. The altar, which took several years to build, can be operational at little more than a moment’s notice, reported Matzav Haruach magazine.
The Temple Institute is committed to preparing all the necessary clothing and tools for the rebuilt Holy Temple in Jerusalem. In addition, the institute operates an educational center for visitors and a preparatory training program for members of the priestly family who wish to be ready to serve as soon as the Temple is rebuilt.”
Source: breakingisraelnews.com
– See more at: https://mondoweiss.mystagingwebsite.com/2015/06/longer-reflections-jerusalem#sthash.N5u74deo.dpuf
Wonder if any rabbis are objecting to this.
“So the answer to the question of who’s investigating rabbis who cross the line is clear. Jews are.”
White pride web sites are also doing this investigation. Just so somebody here knows. You may disagree with their conclusions, recommendations, but they have the facts if you just hold your nose and look at them. Generally, an American pays no penalty pointing out the decadence of Catholic priests, but god forbid you point a finger at the decadent rabbis.
left wing rabbis hang with left wing rabbis and have no settler friends or supporters.
this is a call to go after Modern Orthodox jews and rabbis , because that’s where the support is .
and i defy you to find more than one or two, out of hundreds, that are anti Yehuda v’Shomron.
and even Neturei Karta and Satmar all agree that your anti-zionism is a thin veil for jew hatred …
This is a movement of the highest calling. Cleaning our own house should always be a top priority. This will be valuable not only for its direct benefits, but also as an example of justice when it’s difficult.
I have nothing against the jews but against the actions of the Israel state is why I advocate sell-determination and sovereignty of Palestine and Israel