The cry emanating from the Book of Lamentations, which we read this Wednesday evening to commemorate Tisha b'Av, (the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av) can be summed up in its first word, EICHA, "How?" How is it possible, the author asks, for a proud people to lose all its freedom?
This question is as relevant today when we ask ourselves how it is possible that in the wake of World War II, anti-Semitism could threaten European Jewry once again. How is it possible that countries that avow equality for all could allow its Jewish citizens to be subjected to anti-Semitic attacks?
The answer is that these countries are not truly democratic, even if they say they are. In fact, I would proffer that if you want to judge how fair a society is to its citizens at large, just look at how it treats Jews. Those who offer equal protection for Jews are truly democratic, love freedom, protect all their citizens and encourage freedom of religious expression. Those who oppress Jews are willing to restrict freedoms, allow minority groups to be victimized, and suppress open religious practice. This equation is born out by residents of these countries who report how frightened they are to be acknowledged as Jews and to practice Judaism openly.
That is why the Israeli government refuses to deal with Yasir Arafat. His regime is blatantly corrupt, its power totalitarian, and its rule despotic. How can a freedom-loving country like Israel sign a peace treaty with a people who don't even honor their own citizens? President Bush acknowledged as much in his recent major Middle East speech when he claimed that Arafat was not an appropriate leader for the Palestinian people because his rule was not based on democratic principles. This declaration is truly remarkable because it could have been made about any other Arab country, yet the president singled out the Palestinian Authority because he realized that its government could not be trusted to make a peace pact with Israel.
Where did the idea for such a bold proposal emanate? It came from none other than Natan Sharansky, the famous Soviet refusnik and now current Israel cabinet minister, who the Bush administration invited to come to America to assist Bush in formulating his Middle Eastern policy. Sharansky lived under a Soviet regime that suppressed Judaism and jailed dissident Jews, despite its official denials of promoting anti-Semitism. It was clear to Sharansky that such a government could not be trusted, and now it is obvious to the American government as well. As reported by "Newsweek" magazine, Sharansky had for years advised America that "peace would never be possible without democracy" and, therefore, would be impossible to achieve with the PA.
It is no surprise to us then that those countries that object to Arafat's ouster would be the very ones that allow anti-Semitism to fester. Their leaders' willingness to support one of the world's greatest terrorists and despots only proves that their claims to democratic rule are bogus. And the fact that no outcry can be heard from ordinary citizens means that their governments have tacit permission to let anti-Semitism run rampant. This silence is an eerie reminder of how freedoms for Jews were whisked away during the events leading up to World War II.
But isn't anti-Semitism being allowed to operate here in the United States of America? Is our government any different than those European countries that turn aside when anti-Semitism arises? After all, vandals paint swastikas on synagogues, hate groups distribute anti-Semitic literature, and Aryan groups shoot at innocent children at a Jewish community center. And now Jews are attacked openly at an El Al check-in counter! Are these ominous signs of impending doom for the Jewish people here in America?
I believe not. No country in the world has found a way to eradicate the plague of anti-Semitism. But our country is not like any other in its staunch defense of democratic principles.
Yes, we allow even the most despicable hate groups to speak their mind. But when it comes to reacting toward terrorists or preventing future occurrences, we are more vigilant than any other government
We educate our youth about the destructive nature of prejudice. We catch and prosecute criminals who act against members of minority groups to the full extent of the law. Penalties for these crimes are stiffer than for ordinary ones because of the nature of the hate involved. When Jews were recently killed at LAX, for example, this barbaric act was condemned by all city, state and federal officials who made it clear that an attack on one of its minority group members was tantamount to an attack on all American citizens. New measures were instituted immediately to protect all citizens from repeated occurrences. And our government leaders constantly remind us that terrorists hate all American citizens!
And it was equally clear from our non-Jewish friends that the blame for such terror lies squarely with fringe Muslim and Aryan groups and not with Jews, as other countries have irrationally claimed. Americans of all persuasions have seen right through propaganda advanced by Arab media and by Aryan group spokespeople who point accusing fingers at Jews for our society's mishaps, including the suicide bombings of the World Trade Center!
The midrash on the word EICHA tells us that this same word, using different vowels, spells the word AYEKA, meaning "Where are You?" G-d asked this of Adam when he tried to hide from his sin. This is the very same call that is sent out to ordinary citizens who are to be asked, "Where are YOU" when members of minority groups are attacked by the prejudiced and the bigoted? The answer to this question determines whether or not a government takes license to "look the other way" when anti-Semitism arises.
Thank G-d here in America we believe that a terrorist attack on one group is viewed as an outrage against all others. Our government and its citizens are to be commended for their strong support of Jews and the State of Israel. America is truly our friend and protector.
On Tisha B'Av we express our shock first and foremost of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. But we also use this occasion to lament the continuing horrific loss of lives occurring at the hands of terrorists. And finally we note on this day how saddened we are that the world still does not understand that to foster anti-Semitism is to return to an era where freedoms for all people are no longer guaranteed.
Shabbat Shalom and have an easy fast.