Tel-Chai Nation

So-called chief rabbi David Lau has taken some well deserved flak from Jerusalem Post readers for the pointless, reprehensible remarks he made about black sport players:

As the mother of two inter-racial sons, one of whom served for three years in the IDF Intelligence Corps, I was outraged by Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi David Lau’s references to kushim, a pejorative term for blacks (“Lau slammed for ‘racist’ statements,” July 31). This, from a man whose sons have not and will not serve in the IDF, putting their lives on the line to protect our homeland, while thousands of Ethiopian and other Israelis of color have.

What would Rabbi Lau say to black members of the US Armed Forces who helped free his father from the Nazi death camps? Finally, I would assume that Rabbi Lau is familiar with the biblical story of how God afflicted Miriam, Moses’s sister, with leprosy for referring to Moses’s wife as an isha kushit (black woman). What punishment does our new chief rabbi feel he himself is worthy of? The Days of Awe are fast approaching. I suggest Rabbi Lau use them to seek forgiveness from God.

While Miriam did many good things, her initial panning of Moses' marriage to Tzipporah was wrong, and it's good she'd learned a lesson why. Lau would do well to discuss the lessons of that chapter in history in his lectures. Another reader said:

Chief Rabbi David Lau’s inappropriate and unfortunate remarks about African-American basketball pros were made to yeshiva students whom he was trying to dissuade from spending Thursday nights watching a televised game.

Yeshiva students (and others) should find time to unwind after intense studies.

It would clear their minds, renew their strength and produce a relaxed state of being. For even better results, they should play a game of basketball.

It would do Rabbi Lau much good, too. With a clear mind he would desist from making negative remarks about people, Jew and non-Jew alike. He would also gain a modicum of respect from the secular community.

Watching sports as a pastime and even playing them would be a perfect way for Haredi students to find purpose in life. Lau is another product of a community that doesn't have a good grip on why relaxation and recreation are needed in our lives.

Labels: haredi corruption, Israel, Judaism, military, Moonbattery, racism