[ETWolverine]

From Hebron: A Hebron Community - Hebron, Ciy of the Patriarchs - Official web site of the Jewish Community of Hebron

David Wilder

December 20, 2007

This morning Israeli internet viewers who frequent the Ynet site were shocked to read the headline story, complete with a picture, labeled “Disclosure:” Operation in the Kasba- IDF chaplain and soldiers put up Mezuzah. A second headline reads: A group of IDF soldiers, and an army Rabbi, together with several civilians, went, in the middle of the week, to the Kasba of Hebron. The target: Operation Mezuzah. In the heart of this tense and sensitive area, they hung a Mezuzah, in accordance with the request of a New York Rabbi. Shalom Achshav (Peace Now): “What are soldiers doing participating in an illegal, political ceremony?” The army: “The Mezuzah was removed.”

Later in the article, Shalom Achshav is quoted as demanding that the IDF Rabbi and soldiers be court-martialed for participating in the ‘illegal, political ceremony.’ “The army has been transformed into the army of the ‘settlers.’ Instead of protecting the settlements they are assisting the settlers to expand them (the settlements). Later, MK Avshalom Vilan from the Meretz party called on the Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi to conduct an investigation and treat the incident in the strictest judgment because “a uniformed army Rabbi who cooperates with the lawless disgraces the IDF and should be punished accordingly.”

First, the facts: The site where the Mezuzah was hung, called “Sha’ar 5” (in English, Gate 5) is an arch adjacent to the entrance to the Avraham Avinu neighborhood in Hebron. It leads from the Kasba into the main (and only) road used by Hebron’s Jewish community. The gate hasn’t been used for a number of years; it is closed to both Jews and Arabs. A number of years ago, during Chol HaMoed Succot, an Arab terrorist shot at a group of Jews next to this gate, killing Rabbi Shlomo Yitzhak Shapiro from Jerusalem and wounding several of his children. Following that attack two Mezuzot were hung in the area: one at Gate 5, and another at an adjacent gate, renamed The Shapiro Gate, in memory of the murdered man. The Mezuzah hung on Gate 5 was stolen and undoubtedly destroyed by Arabs in the area.

A short time ago, a visiting Chabad Rabbi from New York, passing by the site, asked why there was no Mezuzah there. Being told the story, he suggested that another Mezuzah be hung there, to replace the stolen one. A few days ago, Hebron’s Chabad representative, Rabbi Danny Cohen, with Yossi Nachshon from Kiryat Arba, together with the area’s new army chaplain, and several Hebron residents, replaced the stolen Mezuzah with a new one. The site, at Gate 5, is not (G-d forbid!) actually inside the Kasbah, rather it borders the Kasbah and entrance into the Avraham Avinu neighborhood. Two soldiers who are stationed at that very site, 24 hours a day, were also there because they guard there. They later participated in a group picture at the site.

Unfortunately, for reasons still unclear, the Mezuzah was removed, as I’m told, at the order of Hebron’s military commander, who is now, according to media reports, ‘investigating the matter.’

That’s the whole story.

Almost.

But not really.

The story is much more serious than the above-written brief paragraphs.

Shalom Achshav and a Knesset Member have declared that hanging a Mezuzah is an ‘illegal, political activity.’

What exactly is a Mezuzah? A small piece of parchment, on which a scribe, using a feather and special black ink, inscribes the words which are the heart of Judaism and the belief in one G-d: Shema Yisrael, HaShem Elokenu, HaShem Echad, followed by the verses we repeat twice daily, which begin, V’ahavta et HaShem Elokecha, becal levovcha, becal nafsehcha, becal meodecha – And you shall love the L-rd your G-d, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your being.

The Jewish people were commanded, as we read in the Torah, upon the Exodus from Egypt, to hang such a Mezuzah on the doorposts of all doors, and gates, in order to remind Jews, wherever they are, be it inside or outside, when they should enter or exit any place, that they are G-d’s people, and that we should remember His commandments at all times.

Many people, almost unconsciously, have a habit to kiss the Mezuzah as a sign of respect when entering or leaving a house. Even people who are not outwardly religiously observant frequently touch or kiss the Mezuzah casing. This is one of the most common, basic of all Mitzvot – positive precepts, practiced by Jews, certainly in Israel and also around the world. Many people, religious and non-religious, when facing a serious illness or crisis, have their Mezuzot ‘checked’ by a certified scribe, to ensure that it is ‘kosher,’ that no letters are rubbed out or missing. A mezuzah is, perhaps, the most simple, yet sublime symbol of Judaism, so small, yet representing the essence of Jewish faith.

Yet the act of hanging a Mezuzah in Hebron, according to Shalom Achshav and a Knesset Member from Meretz, is an ‘illegal activity, which has disgraced the army. Soldiers participating in such a ceremony must be court-martialed.

Ah, they will say that hanging a Mezuzah at the entrance to the Kasbah is a provocation. First of all, a Mezuzah hung at this very spot decades, if not hundreds of years ago. This is not the first or second time a Mezuzah decorated this archway. The ancient Jewish quarter, initiated in the year 1540, extended at least to “Gate 5,” actually an ancient archway leading between the Jewish Quarter and the Kasbah. The Kasbah contains much Jewish property, which is, unfortunately and incomprehensibly, inaccessible to Jews at present. Jews lived in the area called the Kasbah well over a hundred and fifty ago, prior to the 1929 riots and massacre. There is a house, purchased by Hebron’s Jewish community over 25 years ago, which was discovered, after the purchase, to have originally been a Jewish home. The proof: the mark of the Mezuzah on the doorpost.

Aside from this fact, an Arab terrorist murdered a Jew at this very location five years ago. The terrorist’s purpose was to deny Jewish legitimacy in Hebron; his aim: to kill and maim, in hopes of chasing out the holy city’s Jewish residents. What better an expression of our eternal faith than a Mezuzah at the site of such a brutal act of violence and terror!

And let’s keep in mind who is making all the noise: Shalom Achshav, Peace Now. This organization flies the flag of our enemies, while viciously opposing Jewish residency in Eretz Yisrael. Championing the ‘rights’ of Arab terrorists, they revile Jewish rights, and have proven themselves, in this case, anything but Jewish.

What exactly is Shalom Achshav? According to an Arutz 7 –IsraelNationalNews report, posted today, “The Peace Now movement is suspected of setting up a financial scam to mask the European sources of its funding for its reconnaissance work against Israeli Jewish towns in Judea and Samaria.The Non Profit Associations Registrar suspects Peace Now of operating a front organization for improper collection of funds…In addition, Some of the organization's donors … include the British government, which donated more than 500,000 shekels, Norway (800,000 shekels) and the European Union, which donated 451,000 shekels earmarked for Peace Now's ongoing "settlement hunting" activity: the documentation of construction activity by Jews in Judea and Samaria.” []- Arutz Sheva

But now Shalom Achshav has outdone itself. They have shown their true face. Not only are they anti-Eretz Yisrael; they are anti-Jewish. Describing the hanging of a Mezuzah as ‘illegal’ and ‘political’ they have moved out of the realm of Judaism. They are apostates, in Hebrew, kofrim, rejecting the basic tenets of Judaism. Had a Mezuzah been removed, such as this one was, in any other place in the world, the perpetrators would be labeled anti-Semites. That is what this organization is: Jewish anti-Semitism, coordinated with and funded by European governments who prefer to kowtow to Arab oil blackmail, without any regard for Jewish human rights, Jewish religious rights or the continued existence of the State of Israel.

However, in this case it’s not the foreigners who are the problem. The real sickness comes from within, from Jewish self-hate, people who, when they look in the mirror, are so disgusted at their true identity that they will do anything to flee from themselves. They have declared war on their land, their people, and their faith. There is nothing that can remotely associate them with peace, because peace is a Divine gift, as we say, “Making peace in the heavens, He will make peace amongst us…” These people are cowardly fighters, warring against themselves and their very essence. Their organization should be named, not Peace Now, rather War Now, for this is their true nature, warring against their very brethren. Jewish anti-Semitism at its best.

Opinions please.

Did the act of placing a Mezuzah at Gate 5 constitute an illegal political act? Was it aggressive? Was it provocative? Was it wrong? Or was it simply a case of Jews peacefully performing their religious observance in a way that doesn't affect the Arabs in the area? Does this warrant military investigations and courts martial of those involved?

And what of Shalom Achshav (Peace Now)? Are they traitors to their co-religionists and nation? Are they politial dupes for anti-Isael Euopean concerns? Are they Jewish anti-Semites? Or are they something else entirely?

Elliot

[tomder55]

Not being familiar with Israeli law I have to approach this from an American perspective. This appears to be similar to an impromptu memorial if someone happens to be tragically killed . I have seen them many times at the side of a public road where someone was killed in a drunk driving accident or perhaps more recently at places like Omaha's Westroads Mall after the shooting spree there . These memorials invariably contain some kind of religious symbolism .

Illegal ? How could it be in a free country ?

[ETWolverine]

Thanks, Tom, I tend to agree.

[Choux]

Why did the Jews want to cause trouble?

[Dark_crow]

Judaism has been irreducibly complex by 3,500 years of turbulent history, it resists simplification. Divergence over fundamental issues abound. Many Jews have announced that "the Jews are a nation, not a religious sect." Sigmund Freud, confessed that "what bound me to Jewry was (I am ashamed to say) neither faith nor national pride, for I have always been an unbeliever and was brought up without any religion.… But plenty of other things remained to make the attraction of Jewry and Jews irresistible—many obscure emotional forces … as well as a clear consciousness of inner identity, the safe intimacy of a common mental construction."

Judaism is undergoing its latest phase, the modern, and this may be the most tumultuous, fragmented, and poignant of all…as this story appears to reflect.

[shygrneyzs]

Elliot, I read your post with a great sadness that the act of placing a Mezuzah at Gate 5 would constitute an illegal political act. I do not see why this is being viewed or thought of as wrong. I do see this as following the Law (meaning religious). Not being a Jew, I cannot fully understand or even begin to comprehend what the average Jewish citizen in the Middle East faces on a daily basis. To me, Israel is still God's Chosen People. That is a Biblical promise, a heritage.


You ask "and what of Shalom Achshav (Peace Now)? Are they traitors to their co-religionists and nation? Are they politial dupes for anti-Isael Euopean concerns? Are they Jewish anti-Semites? Or are they something else
entirely?"

They certainly do not appear to be living in peace and I would call them traitors and also dupes for other concerns who desire nothing but death to Israel.

[Dark_crow]

As I understand it, and I may be wrong, a mezuzah is usually placed on personal homes and places of business - not the entrance to a city that is 97% or so Muslin.

[magprob]

You have to understand that it can and also is use as a symbolic new house warming ornament. It more or less tells all the Arabs passing by that "We are here to stay and you are out." That tends to upset people since there is some question about, "Isitreal?"

As far as this statement:
However, in this case it's not the foreigners who are the problem. The real sickness comes from within, from Jewish self-hate, people who, when they look in the mirror, are so disgusted at their true identity that they will do anything to flee from themselves. They have declared war on their land, their people, and their faith. There is nothing that can remotely associate them with peace, because peace is a Divine gift, as we say, “Making peace in the heavens, He will make peace amongst us…” These people are cowardly fighters, warring against themselves and their very essence. Their organization should be named, not Peace Now, rather War Now, for this is their true nature, warring against their very brethren. Jewish anti-Semitism at its best.


All horse pucky. Smoke and mirrors. Propaganda. These are really the people that question the holocaust of the Palestinian people by Isitreal. Any self hate comes from the guilt of the slaughter of innocent people.

"Even Arabs can be labeled 'anti-Semitic', although they are in fact Semites and do not have to link any claim to the Holy Land to descent from seventh century converts to Judaism, as do the Ashkenazi Jews of Europe from whom half the Israelis and most American Jews are descended."

[ETWolverine]

Why did the Jews want to cause trouble??

What trouble were they causing?

Since when is peaceful adherence to religious law considered "causing trouble"?

[ETWolverine]

As I understand it, and I may be wrong, a mezuzah is usually placed on personal homes and places of business - not the entrance to a city that is 97% or so Muslin.

Sorry, but this is incorrect. Mezuzahs are also supposed to be placed on any entrance or exit used regularly by Jews, whether public or private. They are supposed to be put on entrances to public courtyards, public areas of apartment buildings, public parks, synagogues (though not the door of the sanctuary itself... interstingly enough the Torah scroll in the sanctuary is considered a Mezuzah, and there is no need for a second one). The only exception to the rule is bathrooms and garbage dumps. The Gate 5 entrance to the Avraham Avinu neighborhood qualifies as a location requiring a Mezuzah.

Elliot

[ordinaryguy]

Did the act of placing a Mezuzah at Gate 5 constitute an illegal political act?

If there's a law against it, it's illegal. Otherwise not. Because it has aroused a public furor, it is political, whether it's illegal.

Was it aggressive? Was it provocative? Was it wrong?

It depends on who you ask, I'm sure. You apparently don't think so. Peace Now, and others on the Israeli Left apparently think it was.

The article makes no mention of what Arabs living in the area think.

Based on the information provided, it sounds like an intra-Israeli spat to me.

[Dark_crow]

Sorry, but this is incorrect. Mezuzahs are also supposed to be placed on any entrance or exit used regularly by Jews, whether public or private. They are supposed to be put on entrances to public courtyards, public areas of apartment buildings, public parks, synagogues (though not the door of the sanctuary itself... interstingly enough the Torah scroll in the sanctuary is considered a Mezuzah, and there is no need for a second one). The only exception to the rule is bathrooms and garbage dumps. The Gate 5 entrance to the Avraham Avinu neighborhood qualifies as a location requiring a Mezuzah.

Elliot

That would be like hanging a cross on the courthouse door in America…Israel, like America is a Secular State…go figure why it was removed, it was a public display of a religious object placed there by a member of the government, and that is why it is illegal. :eek:

[ETWolverine]

Sorry, DC, but that doesn't wash. Israel may be a "secular state", but there is no concept of separation of church and state in Israel. Rabbinical authorities are part of the justice department in Israel, and determine the validity of mariages, divorces, religious conversions, etc. Judgements of Judaic courts (Bet Din) are legally binding for civil matters. The education system in Israel teaches religion. And government members regularly place mezuzahs on doorways of government property, including military bases, government buildings, etc. There is no such concept as separation of church and state in Israel. The action of placing the Mezuzah was NOT illegal for that reason.

You are suffering from the common mistake that because Israel is a Democracy and is very similar to America in many ways, it must therefore have all the same legal provisions as the USA. That's not your fault... Israel tries very hard to be American in many ways, and the misconception stems from that. But Israel is a separate country, and their laws are different from ours in many ways. The fact that there is no separation of church and state in Israel is one big difference between us.

Elliot

[Dark_crow]

I agree, Israel is not truly a Secular State…Although I believe every student of modern Israel should reread the proclamation of May 14, 1948…that Proclamation of Independence makes few concessions to the Almighty.
“The parallels between these ultra-Orthodox Jews and the American Christian Right are strong. Both regard modernity as a tragedy, both lament the loss of power and influence for their respective religions, both would like to transform society by taking it back several hundred (or thousand) years and instituting religious law in place of civil law, both are dismissive of the rights of religious minorities, and both would risk war with other nations in pursuit of their religious goals. “

We will have to wait and see how this arrest plays out.

Is Israel a Religious or a Secular State?