If there are two people who are further apart than these two people, I would be greatly surprised. One I admire quite a bit as a true hero and the other is one of the vilest creatures on the face of the earth. Both come from Chasidic backgrounds.
And in what seems to be a most unlikely event, these two individuals personal ended up in the same place at the same time. They were both in Poland to honor my illustrious ancestor’s Rebbe, the Noam Elimelech, one of the early Chasidic masters.
When Zaka founder, Yehuda Meshi-Zahav encountered Neturei Karta member Moshe Arye Freedman, the result was a brawl:
“Meshi-Zahav, along with another ZAKA member, quickly located Freedman and set upon him, punching the man, kicking him and breaking his glasses.”
Is this act worthy of praise? Not in my mind. I certainly agree with Meshi-Zahav’s sentiments. But I do not agree with his methods. Beating someone up is never a good idea. What, after all, does it accomplish? Is Mr. Freedman going to change his ways? Is he now going to say, “What was I thinking?” …and do Teshuva because he was beat up? I don’t think so. It might even have the opposite effect and strengthen his resolve. And it risks permanent injury to both parties and it may even make Mr. Freedman look like a victim to the media. Teshuva should always be the goal and intent when dealing with Reshaim like this. Not violence.
Besides, when a popular and heroic figure like Mr. Meshi- Zahav uses violence in this situation he leaves the impression that violence in general is a legitimate tactic. And we all know that indeed violenlce is often used by some people in that community to get what they want. If it is OK here, then maybe it’s OK to use violence to beat up anyone who upsets communal standards or religious sensitivities. So, I am indeed disappointed in Mr. Meshi-Zahav, although, I understand his passion.
To add insult to injury… what does a Shul do in response to his behavior? They give him an Aliyah, thus rewarding the violence. Apparently they think beatings are a good way to show disapproval of the behavior of those they don’t agree with. It is a bad example. And it is a bad lesson taught to their community… a community already having their share of violent responses to situations they don’t like. And as a result of this event, their reputation for using violence to resolve their issues is further enhanced.
If the Torah world wants to treat the Aryeh Freedmans of the world the way they deserve to be treated, then the answer is not violence but a complete Cherem. People like that have to be shunned by every member of every segment of the Torah world. They cannot be given Aliyos, or counted to a Minyan. They are not to be spoken to but completely ignored, as though they didn’t exist. Public notices to that effect should be made on all forums. They have to be completely ostracized form every segment of Torah Jewry, and the Chasidic community should be in the forefront of doing it since Mr. Freedman stems from it. That’s what this man deserves.
