Hateful Book Violates Jewish Values

I have often wondered what Jews mean by 'Jewish tradition'? After all, it is something they feel the need to boast about since it is quite often mentioned! What is the source? Are the Jewish values derived from the satanic verses contained in Torah that instruct Jews to decimate the gentile world? What is the source of Jewish teachings and Jewish values besides the Satanic verses of the Torah? The Jews' God does tell them not to steal and at the same time to steal the gentiles' lands. He does tell them not to kill but at the same time to eradicate the gentile. Common sense would indicate that the Ten Commandments were to be applied witchin the Jewish community and the satanic verses of the Torah to be meted out to the gentile world. Where am I wrong?

It is shocking that a book suggesting the biblical imperative of “Thou Shalt Not Murder” only applies to “a Jew who kills a Jew” is widely available in religious bookstores in Israel and has been enthusiastically endorsed by several prominent rabbis (“Rabbinic Text or Call to Terror?” January 29).

The teachings of Rabbi Yitzhak Shapira in “The King’s Torah” represent the warped ideology of a small minority of radicalized settlers who pervert the tenets of Judaism to justify acts of violence and hatred. Those teachings have found their ultimate expression in the alleged acts of students of his West Bank yeshiva, including the arson and vandalism of a nearby Palestinian mosque.

The Judaism Shapira presents in his book is contrary to the teachings, values and morals that are fundamental to the Jewish faith.

As a people of conscience, we cannot stand idly by while extremists carry out attacks in the name of Judaism. These are nothing more than acts of terrorism that serve to undermine the rule of law and Israel’s democracy. They must be forcefully condemned by all responsible Jewish community leaders.

Abraham H. Foxman

National Director

Anti-Defamation League

New York, N.Y

http://www.forward.com/articles/124480/