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From: mls@ittvax.ATC.ITT.UUCP (Michael Schneider)
Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish
Subject: Re: Jews and Israel
Message-ID: <465@ittvax.ATC.ITT.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 26-Aug-85 08:41:33 EDT
Article-I.D.: ittvax.465
Posted: Mon Aug 26 08:41:33 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 28-Aug-85 02:28:00 EDT
References: <4973@allegra.UUCP> <332@sol1.UUCP> <270@uwvax.UUCP>
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> In article <332@sol1.UUCP> s252@sol1.UUCP (Al Berg) writes:
> As Jews, what is our responsibility to the State of Israel?
> 
> Jay Hyman writes:
> 
> ....  
> Criticizing Israel in front of a third party (the American public) 
> does not help change Israeli policies; it only serves to create animosity 
> and to add fuel to the fires of Anti-Semitism and Anti-Zionism (the 
> fine line between them, if it exists, is seldom observed) which are so easily
> ignited throughout the world.  
> ....
> 
> David Parter writes:
>
> I disagree: it depends entirely upon the issue at hand. 
> .... 
> Keeping our disagreements 'behind closed doors' does not always make it
> better. The Jewish people, (and the Zionist movement -- there is a 
> difference) are not a monolitic entity with one opinion and point of
> view. Expressing ourselves on issues as important as (what I and many
> others considered) an un-neccessary war is positive and healthy for
> the Jewish People. Wars, especially such as the war in Lebanon, are not.
> 
> ...
> 
> I am involved. Sometimes this leads me to speak out
> in public. I try to be responsible about it at all times.
> 
I must disagree with David.  In Rosh Hashona (I forget the reference) we learn
that people who are permitted to blow the shofar are those who are
obligated to hear it.  From this we can see a rule that exists throughout
the Law: with obligation and responsibility comes privilage.  If I criticize
an action taken by Israel and do not live in Israel, I will not suffer
the concequences of my action; I have NOT placed myself in a position
of responsibility.  Thus, until I LIVE IN ISRAEL can I voice my opinions.
We must remember that Israel has elected its government and let its voice
be heard.

There is only one case where, I feel, we can, or must, take a stand: where
Jews are unable to speak.  This stiuation exists in the Arab lands and in the
USSR.  There, we must speak for them.  We must do all we can to let them 
live where they want.  If they wish to stay in their homeland, they should be
allowed to live as Jews.

Michael L. Schneider