Cyberthought by Rabbi Zelizer -- March 12, 2008

Silence of the Rabbis
By Andrew Sacks

The Jewish Blogs have been a buzz about recent inflammatory comments made by Rabbi Hershel Schachter, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva University's rabbinical school. While speaking to students at Jerusalems Yeshivat HaKotel, he spoke to the issue of Yeshiva students serving in the IDF. Little did he know that his remarks would be captured on film and disseminated on YouTube (the video has since been removed).

The NY Jewish Week transcribed his remarks. Schachter said: "First you have to know what the army is going to do. If the army is going to destroy Gush Katif, there's no mitzvah to destroy Eretz Yisrael. If the army is going to give away Yerushalyim, then I would tell everyone to resign from the army - I'd tell them to shoot the Rosh Hamemshalah (Prime Minister)." This reportedly elicited laughter from the audience.

He then went on to say: "No one should go to the army if they (the army) are doing aveirus.

These words were spoken by one of the leading voices in the North American Orthodox community. Rabbi Schachter has a history of troublesome, sexist, and even racial, remarks. Yet, he is one of the rabbis selected by Israeli Chief Rabbi, Shlomo Amar, to head the RCA rabbinic court which will determine which Orthodox conversions are to be acceptable in Israel.

Rabbi Schachter has apologized. In reaction to the brouhaha created by his comments, he said: "Statements I made informally have been publicly excerpted this week. I deeply regret such statements and apologize for them. They were uttered spontaneously, off the cuff, and were not meant seriously. But these statements were not made informally. We all say stupid things. These remarks were made publicly to religious Zionist Yeshiva students who are of age to serve in the army.

Just yesterday, the IBA (Israel Broadcasting Authority) reported on meetings between two major rabbis in the Yeshiva world and IDF soldiers, where they reportedly green-lighted acts of retribution against Arabs for the murders at Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav. If the report proves accurate, one must hope that the police will take action.

But where is the outcry from our religious leaders? Where are the calls that these two rabbis along with Rabbi Schachter must resign? How can Rav Schachter be the a gate keeper to the entry into the Jewish world? How can he be the head of a preeminent rabbinical school? Even the president of Yeshiva University, Richard Joel, was moved to say: Let me make it clear that Yeshiva University repudiates any such statements or any such sentiments."

Imprudent and inciting remarks by rabbis may have contributed to the atmosphere that led to the murders by Baruch Goldstein and to the assignation of Prime Minister Yizhak Rabin.

How often have we asked why we do not hear the voices of moderation coming from moderate Muslim religious leaders when radical Imamas speak out? We must look inward and ask where are the critical voices of our rabbinic leaders. There has been criticism from the secular community and from the media. There has been some, albeit blunted guarded, reaction from some in the religious Zionist world but mostly it is business as usual.

The Rabbinical Assembly in Israel (the rabbinic arm of the Masorti Movement) long ago issued a responsa that stated: Service in Zahal is a halakhic duty incumbent on every Jew living in the State of Israel. Whoever sees himself as engaged in important religious work has an even greater obligation to set an example by military service. Only in this way can he be properly prepared to effectively participate in a commanded war for the safety of the State of Israel. Not to do this involves violation of three major mitzvot: Participation in a commanded war for defense of the State of Israel; "do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor"; the saving of human life. To shirk this duty is to violate the halakhah.

Shame on Rabbi Schachter for his intemperate remarks. Shame on those who fail to speak out against such dangerous stupidity. Praise to those whose faith guides them to serve the Jewish people by serving faithfully in the IDF.

Rabbi Andrew Sacks is the director of the Rabbinical Assembly in Israel