To:
The Jewish Residents of Teaneck NJ
Re:
Our Presence In Your Community
April 6, 2008
It is difficult and,
perhaps, impudent to ask a stranger to question assumptions
that have always been part-and-parcel of one's community.
We
ask, though, that you open your mind and heart for
a few moments to rethink some old dogmas.
The
Jewish people figure prominently in world headlines.
Much of this publicity is negative. Jews in the Holy
Land are in danger. Palestinians are killed daily.
We need to ask ourselves — Is all this simply
inevitable?
A
true analysis of the following points will take much
time and considerable emotional effort. It is our
prayer that you will eventually find the time and
exert the effort.
1)
The Zionist state and the Zionist movement are clearly
in the throes of yet another crisis. One might expect
this crisis would elicit a firm and courageous response.
Yet, recent years have witnessed much weariness within
the state itself and among its supporters world wide.
Few are those who would seriously suggest today that
they see a clear way out of ceaseless conflicts between
the Zionists and the Palestinians. Likewise few are
those who foresee a quickening of patriotic enthusiasm
within the state.
2)
Zionism was greeted with staunch and passionate opposition
by the vast majority of Torah leaders at the time
of its inception.
3)
This opposition was rooted not merely in a fear of
the irreligiosity of, almost all, early Zionist leaders
but due to the movement's desire to bring about a
political and military end to Jewish exile.
4)
The traditional Jewish view, held throughout the centuries,
was that exile is a punishment for Jewish sin. Only
by penance and faith could the exile be ended, thus,
bringing about national redemption.
5)
In the Prophetic vision, though, this redemption would
be one that would reconcile all mankind and usher
in a utopia of universal brotherhood and worship of
the Creator.
6)
The Talmud demands that we, as a people, accept our
exile and only try to alleviate it by heightened piety,
good deeds, Torah study, prayer and kindness.
7)
The Talmud foretells that a violation of exile; any
attempt to artificially end it, will lead to horrible
suffering for Jews and other peoples.
8)
It is fairly clear that the Zionist claim that the
Zionist state is a safe haven has never been fulfilled.
In reality the reverse is true.
9)
Perhaps, it is time to rethink our assumptions and
question whether the Zionist state has been a blessing
for the Jewish people?
10)
The existence of the state has cast us in the role
of denying self determination and basic human rights
to others.
11)
We have been forced to resort to brutality in order
to maintain this oppressive state of affairs.
12)
Our calling is to be "a kingdom of priests and a holy
nation." We are to set an example and standard of
faith and piety to all men. Our summons is to be a
paragon of kindness and empathy to all who suffer
of whatever nationality or faith. Zionism and the
Holy Land make all this totally impossible.
13)
Perhaps, the likes of Reb Chaim Soloveichik, Reb Chaim
Ozer Grodzenski, Reb Elchonan Wasserman, the Lubavitcher
Rebbe (Rashab), and Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch (may
their memories be blessed) were right? Perhaps, Zionism
itself is the problem?
14)
Perhaps, true peace will not come to the Middle East
so long as Zionism violates the letter and spirit
of exile?
15)
Perhaps, we will never know peace as a people until
the waging of war and attendant atrocities are ended
forever?
16)
Perhaps, we should rededicate ourselves to the holy
task of our people "to walk humbly with G-d" and serve
as a "light unto the nations"?
Has
not the time come to rethink the whole Zionist enterprise?
In
the days of preparation for Pesach and Shevouth, the
holidays of the acceptances of the Torah, which we
are now in the midst of, perhaps we should rethink
our role and image as a people?
We
of Neturei Karta International seek to provoke no
ill will today in this community. It is our concern
for our fellow Jews as well as the suffering of the
Palestinians which has brought us.
We
have come here to offer an alternative image — one
that we believe is a kiddush Hashem (a sanctification
of G-d's name).
We
believe that, in the long run, our path offers real
safety and security for all our Jewish brethren in
the Holy Land and around the world.
Please
take the time to read our literature. Maybe order
some further readings through the mail. Think again
and think fearlessly.
Jews,
believers in G-d and lovers of mankind, should not
be reduced to shooting babies in their mother's embrace.
May
we all be blessed with goodness and merit true peace
and redemption.
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For more information
the Neturei Karte International web site at: www.nkusa.org |