3:48 PM
Gil Student
Another gem from the previously mentioned article by R. Shalom Carmy:
In recent years we often hear from those who insist the old anti-Semitic propaganda had it right - that the teachings of the Torah about Gentiles are, God forbid, such as would repel those Jews and non-Jews who take common "perennial" morality seriously. The Rabbinic establishment and those it represents have more or less gotten around to condemning Kahane, but somehow, without questioning their sincerity, we sense that something is missing.
What is missing is the passion. Earnest, honorable, respectable teachers of Torah, who would self-assuredly and justifiedly snort at the suggestion that the prohibition of blowing shofar (or, for that matter, performing on the organ) on Shabbat is "only" rabbinic, become strangely "objective" when called upon to instruct the faithful about attitudes to Gentiles. True, the laws of Dvarim 20 do not apply today. Yes, God is compassionately concerned for all His creatures. Yes, there is some kind of halakhic source that says man ought to imitate the moral attributes of his Creator. But it's "only" darkhe shalom and we don't want to look like Reform universalists. So we do God a favor and endorse His Ways, but halfheartedly, grudgingly, like the proverbial Synagogue Board that wishes the ailing Rabbi his hearty refua shelema by a 6-5 vote.
