George Lakehomer http://jta.org/user/profile/6914 en-us rcsillag@jta.org Copyright 2009 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 I read Suzanne Kurtz’ article in the Washington Jewish Week before deciding to write. Ami Eden, Jo-Ann Mortz and Ms. Kurtz should at least have an understanding of the facts and basic history of why Jews have traditionally observed a prohibition against tattooing or otherwise marking the body. It is not something that is “taboo”, nor does it have anything to do with the way Jews were marked by Germans during the Shoah. A tattoo desecrates one’s body, which does not really belong to us. Man was created in Hashem’s image (b’tzelem Elokim), and our bodies are essentially on loan and do not belong to us. Jews may have been tattooed during their time in Egypt, but according to historians and scholars, those marking were for identification purposes so there would be no question as to the ownership of individual slaves. Tattooing or other voluntary markings of the body have long been considered idol worship, but this one has any many opinions as there are Jews discussing it... The most germane point is that tattooing is prohibited by the Torah, coming from Leviticus 19:28, and is the basis for the prohibition and subsequent Rabbinic law that only permanent tattoos are not allowed. Tattoos are also strongly associated with idolatry. Pagans, in Biblical times, would tattoo themselves with various religious images, symbols, and names of their gods. Tattoos were prohibited so that Jews would not be associated with or otherwise misidentified as pagans. If Ms. Mort chooses to commemorate having survived a harrowing ordeal with a tattoo, it is none of my business, nor do I have any opinion on her deciding to do so. What I do believe is that if a ritual, belief, halachic law or prohibition is going to be written about and/or discussed, it should be done respectfully with some basic facts that might be helpful in understanding that the topic is more than a superficial issue. In this case, the topic connects directly to the Torah and Hashem. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 Nowhere in the article does it say that Mr. Oren cares more about Israel than the United States. For people who are genuinely interested in Mr. Oren's story, I suggest you click the "Full story here" link at the end of the article and read the full profile of Mr. Oren - degrees from Princton, Columbia (2 actually), decades of service as an IDF soldier, well known scholar, recognized author, and public servant. Mr. Oren is, most importantly, a man of character and integrity. And not incidentally, there are an uncountable number of Jews all over the world outside of Israel who do not think of or believe that Israel is a foreign country. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 It has been a long, long time since Hashem has interfered with the Universe, or the planet Earth, although believing in truth or myth, surely that promise after the Great Flood has surely by now truly brought great regret. Name calling, curses? What a fine collection of Jews are brewing in these comments... There is one tradition that has been and will forever be a part of Judaism - there are more opinions that Jews, and one belief that we need always remember: There is only one G-d. One G-d. No matter how many Jews or how many kinds of Jews. And what does G-d require of thee? To do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your G-d. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 There isn't a better time, for Jews or Americans, for the United States to become a member of this misguided body. What better place for us to speak out, vote, and challenge those member who have hindered the Council's efforts to squelch the critics of current governments and conflicts in Darfur, Congo, Belarus, Liberia, and other places. After 8 years of George W. Bush, Richard Cheny, and the damage they have done to America's reputation and standing in the world, I can think of no better place for American to stand up and be counted. Of course it will mean facing America's critics and some hard truths about the conduct of our military under our previous leaders, but it begins the path of restoration for America abroad. The saying so close to our hearts, "Never again" needs to be amended, especially for Jews in the 21st century. I do not mean to minimize either the loss of other families or my own, but it is time for us to truly be a light among the nations and begin to say, and believe, "Never again. For Anyone. Anywhere. Again." Jews, especially Jews, must support America's joining the United Nations Council on Human Relations. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 Tamar is always so angry, judgmental, narrow minded. We are all tired of her sorry views of Judaism and the world. Being Tamar as she presents herself must be a hard, lonely life. She sometimes makes it a challenge to extend compassion, understanding, and acceptance, as we would to anyone, Jew or gentile. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 Thank you Mr. Nates and Mr. Howard. I mean no disrespect, Mr. Syed, but this is not a "Catch 22" situation. Rather than framing such am important issue by using numerology, which has a deep tradition in Judaism (13 principles of Maimonides, 613 Commandments, or the numbers that are associated with each letter of the aleph-bet, please consider a more human reference: When Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel marched with Martin Luther King, Jr., both of blessed memory, from Selma to Montgomery Alabama in 1965, and he was asked what he was doing there, he answered that he was praying with his feet. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 For a minute I thought Dr. Zidonov was a racist, homophobic, devil fearing gentile. Then I saw him using the words "us" and "we" and I realized he was spaking as a Jew. How unfortunate to have a Jew who thinks and writes like Dr. Zidonov. He shames us all, regardless of where we live, where or how we choose to daven. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 Those federal prosecutors in Iowa are just ignorant to actually have the chutzpa to deny bail in part, because they believe Israel has some "automatic citizenship" law. There is no such thing - just ask Meyer Lansky. All this noise about automatic return obfuscates the more serious reasons for denying Ruashkin bail - the violation of countless federal laws regarding child labor, violation of immigration laws and human smuggling, aiding and abetting in the falsification of citizenship papers, violation of other labor laws pertaining to work hours and working conditions, and don't forget inflating Agrigprocessor's accounts receivables well above actual amounts so he could borrow more than banking regulations permitted from his bank. This is a man who doesn't deserve bail - the whining about things like "automatic citizenship" and saying "...it's really an attack on kosher food" are an attempt to cover up what a ganef Rabashkin is - we should all be ashamed. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 This one is outside the box right now - I think its a pretty brilliant solution. Keep your eye on the reception this idea gets in the Middle East, among other places. John R. Bolton's complete OpEd piece from the Sunday, January 5, 2009, Washington Post is worth reading and can be found here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/04/AR2009010401434.html 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 I agree with most of the comments and concerns expressed here, but I also am compelled to remember that this is America. This is a country where free speech is a basic right, whether or not we like the speaker or the speech being spoken. The election of President-elect is a historic event for America. Support it with your free speech and beliefs, but be very, very careful about denying others their same rights, for that opens the true door to more of the same. Your choice. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 On the other hand, I wonder what Wall Street and financial institutions would be like if they did have something "...akin to a Heksher Tzedek, a rabbinic certificate of ethical excellence..." ? The good news would be that there would be no Bernie Madoff, Michael Milliken, Mark Rich (I could have made a longer list). The bad news is that the rabbinic certificate would not apply to gentiles so the American and world economy would still be just as bad. On the third hand, there would a lot fewer Jews to blame, and that would be good. On the fourth hand, right now singling out Jews in banking and finance seems like something from another era - and century. That's very bad. It's clear that banking and finance need an egalitarian Code of Ethics that applies to everyone regardless of race, creed, or religion, and it was needed it at least 18 years ago. It's very important to think with our whole brain, not just the left or right side. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 Comparing Madoff and Rubashkin is just plain silly. There are lots of people who can speak to the crimes that Rubashkin has been charged with - some live in Postville, some are being held by Federal authorities awaiting deportation, some have been deported, and all were, are, and will be living in poverty or worse, all so the "...many Yidden..." can be "...brought closer to Torah...through...affordable kosher meat. When a standard of moral relativism is applied, the judgement is flawed and we all become losers in such a conversation/debate. The reality is that Rubashkin and Madoff are Jews, and both brought shame on all Jews. Orthodox, Conservative, Reform. Do you really think the world of the non-Jew bothers to differentiate? When it comes to scandal and shame, it's just about "those Jews." 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00 I strongly agree with Norman Pressman's comments as shown above. Today's JTA article points out Rubashkin has substantial liability for "...his alleged role in a scheme to defraud the company's bank, as well as a hot of charges relate to his role in helping procure false documentation for the plant's illegal work force." Please note that the myriad labor law violations are not mentioned - and those that are reported are far more serious. Jews have neglected both Biblical and Talmudic obligations to the immigrants who worked at the factory, especially after the raids in May. That their only option was to become felons through a plea-bargain resulting in several months of incarceration prior to being shipped back to their native country by Immigration is an ending the we, as Jews, should be ashamed of, to have stood by and allowed this to happen. In the name of Kashrut, or Heksher Tzedke? Indeed, I think not. All Jews should be ashamed of the collateral damage. 2009-11-20T;16:30:00-05:00