Korah - Weekly Torah Portion

In an article full of half-truths and blatant lies, Caroline Glick made the following argument, “The negotiation between the Netanyahu government and the reform did not fail because the government did not agree to establish a non-orthodox area of worship at the Kotel.” She insinuates as if in “the last decade, the Reform Movement, and increasingly the Conservative Movement, renounce Zionism.” She has also found “proof” of that, “for example, during the recent operation in Gaza, some 100 non-orthodox rabbinical students in the USA signed a petition that condemned Israel and called it an ‘Apartheid’ state.” She quotes MK Bennet who said that “the haredi MKs shall not teach us what is Judaism and certainly not what is Zionism.” She mockingly added, “may be so. However, his coalition partners will teach him well what anti-Zionism is.” An amazing piece of prophecy as the cancellation of the Kotel Agreement happened years before the letter saw the light of day, a letter that most non-orthodox rabbis have not agreed with, but what does Ms. Glick have to do with facts?! And prophecy, it is well-known, is the trade of fools.

Not that she is unique or even outstanding in uttering these kinds of unfounded, unwarranted, unsupported, discriminatory and ruthless accusations. We have heard similar if not harsher rhetoric coming out of the mouths of MKs Deri, Gafni and Litzman, none of which hesitated in using ugly and defaming words that tried to instill fear in some but only served to show their forlornness. I have no doubt in my mind that Judaism does not need these fellows to defend it, and honestly, it is even difficult to say that Judaic values are at their top priority. In that respect it was also odd to hear prime minister Netanyahu mapping current events to those described in the readings of this week’s portion of the Torah, Korah. Maybe he forgot, maybe he did not carefully study the teachings therein, and therefore it is our duty to remind them and him of those.

In this week’s Haftarah the prophet Samuel parts from the people after he appointed Saul as king. He speaks to the people and says, “Now, here is the king walking before you, but as for me, I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. And I have walked before you since my youth to this day. Here I am; testify against me before the Lord and His anointed. Whose ox have I taken, or whose donkey have I taken, or whom have I exploited? Whom have I oppressed, or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to close my eyes with it? I will return it to you.” Moses, attacked by Korah and his men, responds similarly, “Pay no attention to their offering! I have not taken a single donkey from them, nor have I done harm to any of them.”. Truth to be said, Samuel is luckier than Moses – he at least receives a favorable response from the people, “And they said, ‘You have not exploited us or oppressed us, or taken anything from anyone’s hand.’ So he said to them, ‘The Lord is witness against you, and His anointed is witness this day that you have found nothing in my hand.’ And they said, ‘He is witness.’”

Ms. Glick continues with her unsupported arguments against both the Reform people as well as the Supreme Court. She argues, “Much has been talked about the question of Reform conversions with respect of the Lapid-Liberman-Bennet government. However, as a matter of fact the question of conversions has already been settled in favor of the Reform and Conservatives by the Supreme Court judges.” She misses the point by a mile. It is unnecessary for the Supreme Court to decide anything regarding conversions. It is she who expects the judges to decide in her favor. A majority of Jews have already decided differently. Most do not use the orthodox conversion system anyway. This was decided upon because a rabbinate that is vindictive and greedy is not suited to comprehend the realities of our days and cannot find solutions that are valid for our lives as we live them today. Fanatical and deliberate rabbinate have led Jews time and time again to minor and major destructions. We should not relent to such forces. It is a time for the earth to, metaphorically, open its mouth, and get rid of this bitterness, pettiness, and vindictiveness approaches to Judaism.

There is a lot of despair in the positions presented by the leaders of the Haredi parties and the PM to the public over the past few days. Civilized norms have been thrown by the sideways simply because things may be changing somewhat. Nevertheless, it is important to fully understand that despite the fact that the political wheel may have turned around, that this cannot be a basis to ignore the rights of those who may think or support different values. It is important that we separate the political commotion by politicians who are trying to hang on to what they deem to be a glorified past, and their supporters who are our brothers and sisters. The fact that they have a different political affiliation or preference does not mean that we have the right to treat them on an unequal basis. The new government should be expected to handle all people equally. This is regardless of how nasty, unpleasant, violent or disruptive some may be.

We must stand fast, just like Moses and Samuel, holding to our values and principles, protecting our beliefs, but being able to consciously ask the question “have we taken a donkey from anyone of you?” Those who shout today do so because they know well that they would misbehave, and assume that we would do so too. Especially to what is near and dear to us. When someone takes the entire Western Wall and comes up with false claims to justify the theft, we know how to identify the deeds of a Korah. And yet we shall continue to act differently.

Shabbat Shalom and wishes for Good Health.

Reuven Marko, 11 June 2021, 2 Tamuz, 5781