From Rabbi Craig Mayers
February / March 2019
“There is a certain people, scattered and dispersed among the other peoples in all the provinces of your realm, whose laws are different from those of any other people and who do not obey the king’s laws’ and it is not in Your Majesty’s interest to tolerate them.” (Haman to King Ahasueros, Esther 3:8)
Is this perhaps a very early (maybe even the earliest) example of anti-semitic falsehoods? Specifically, the “dual loyalty” canard that is being espoused even today about contemporary American Jews? The history of antisemitism does go back a long way, to at least the 3rd century before the Common Era. Spreading lies, allegations, exaggerations, rumors and complete fabrications about the Jews and their practices may have begun for the reasons Haman stated in the book of Esther. After all, we were maintaining our identity as a separate and distinct people with separate and distinct practices, and refused to adopt the ways of those around us (like Hashem told us!)
Of course, it only got worse from there - a few centuries later came another king, Antiochus Epiphanes (see: Chanukah) who banned some of the most distinct Jewish practices like circumcision, Torah study, kashrut and Shabbat observance. To this day, the very thing that has kept our people alive and well, our distinctiveness, has also fueled misunderstanding, hatred and violence all too often.
How do we maintain that distinction while at the same time combat ignorance and hatred? How can we as a small community here in Melbourne Florida combat antisemitism?
Interaction
As Jews we are of course bound by Torah law, but we also follow a Talmudic precept known as “Dina d’malchut dina” – “The law of the land is the law”. Jews are and should be loyal supporters of their local community, state, and country, engaged in secular life. We should not only pray for the welfare of the government, but be active participants in the larger communities in which we live. Here in Melbourne, there are relatively few Jews and you may encounter people in your life who have never met one before – until you. That is an opportunity to spread information and be an ambassador (see below). The more people meet and interact with Jews and realize that the misinformation, stereotypes and rumors they’ve encountered just don’t hold up, the less chance ignorance has to fester and grow into antisemtism.
Ambassadorship
To be an ambassador for Judaism is what some would say is our mandate as a people. “A light unto the nations”, an exemplar for what is good and ethical, and evangelists for Hashem and His laws, are all parts of the Jewish experience. To do this effectively, however, one needs to know their own people. The more you know about your own faith, beliefs and practices, the better you can share with others. That allows you to spread light and dispel rumors and darkness. Fortunately we have a wide range of Adult Education opportunities to do just that.
Education
We are fortunate to live in a state that requires Holocaust education, but it isn’t the same everywhere. A recent study showed that almost 66% of millennials do not know what Auschwitz is. Providing education about not just our past, but about who the Jewish people are and what they stand for, is another tool to combat ignorance and hatred. I am very gladdened to see our synagogue’s participation in the local collegiate World Religions classes by welcoming students to visit on Shabbat. For most, it’s their first real encounter with Judaism and Jewish people. And we make a great impression! We also offer our Introduction to Judaism classes to the whole community.
This year we will read the Megillah twice, so you have double the opportunity to participate in the important mitzvah of hearing the story of Esther, and drowning out the name of the evil Haman. Join us at our Purim dinner and family celebration Wednesday evening March 20, and again Thursday morning March 21.
Chag Purim Sameach!
Rabbi Craig Mayers
“There is a certain people, scattered and dispersed among the other peoples in all the provinces of your realm, whose laws are different from those of any other people and who do not obey the king’s laws’ and it is not in Your Majesty’s interest to tolerate them.” (Haman to King Ahasueros, Esther 3:8)
Is this perhaps a very early (maybe even the earliest) example of anti-semitic falsehoods? Specifically, the “dual loyalty” canard that is being espoused even today about contemporary American Jews? The history of antisemitism does go back a long way, to at least the 3rd century before the Common Era. Spreading lies, allegations, exaggerations, rumors and complete fabrications about the Jews and their practices may have begun for the reasons Haman stated in the book of Esther. After all, we were maintaining our identity as a separate and distinct people with separate and distinct practices, and refused to adopt the ways of those around us (like Hashem told us!)
Of course, it only got worse from there - a few centuries later came another king, Antiochus Epiphanes (see: Chanukah) who banned some of the most distinct Jewish practices like circumcision, Torah study, kashrut and Shabbat observance. To this day, the very thing that has kept our people alive and well, our distinctiveness, has also fueled misunderstanding, hatred and violence all too often.
How do we maintain that distinction while at the same time combat ignorance and hatred? How can we as a small community here in Melbourne Florida combat antisemitism?
Interaction
As Jews we are of course bound by Torah law, but we also follow a Talmudic precept known as “Dina d’malchut dina” – “The law of the land is the law”. Jews are and should be loyal supporters of their local community, state, and country, engaged in secular life. We should not only pray for the welfare of the government, but be active participants in the larger communities in which we live. Here in Melbourne, there are relatively few Jews and you may encounter people in your life who have never met one before – until you. That is an opportunity to spread information and be an ambassador (see below). The more people meet and interact with Jews and realize that the misinformation, stereotypes and rumors they’ve encountered just don’t hold up, the less chance ignorance has to fester and grow into antisemtism.
Ambassadorship
To be an ambassador for Judaism is what some would say is our mandate as a people. “A light unto the nations”, an exemplar for what is good and ethical, and evangelists for Hashem and His laws, are all parts of the Jewish experience. To do this effectively, however, one needs to know their own people. The more you know about your own faith, beliefs and practices, the better you can share with others. That allows you to spread light and dispel rumors and darkness. Fortunately we have a wide range of Adult Education opportunities to do just that.
Education
We are fortunate to live in a state that requires Holocaust education, but it isn’t the same everywhere. A recent study showed that almost 66% of millennials do not know what Auschwitz is. Providing education about not just our past, but about who the Jewish people are and what they stand for, is another tool to combat ignorance and hatred. I am very gladdened to see our synagogue’s participation in the local collegiate World Religions classes by welcoming students to visit on Shabbat. For most, it’s their first real encounter with Judaism and Jewish people. And we make a great impression! We also offer our Introduction to Judaism classes to the whole community.
This year we will read the Megillah twice, so you have double the opportunity to participate in the important mitzvah of hearing the story of Esther, and drowning out the name of the evil Haman. Join us at our Purim dinner and family celebration Wednesday evening March 20, and again Thursday morning March 21.
Chag Purim Sameach!
Rabbi Craig Mayers
In order to maintain Kashrut (keeping Kosher), Queen Esther ate vegetarian in the King’s palace, mostly beans and other legumes. A modern custom is to remember this by partaking in a vegetarian meal on Purim!