I am often
accused of focusing on the negative rather than the positive about the vast
majority of observant Jewry. There are in fact a lot of good things the Torah
world does. Much of it a Kiddush HaShem. We are indeed a light unto the nations
in so many ways.
Just
consider a Gallop survey that indicated religious Jews generally lead
happier more fulfilling lives than secular people or people of other religions. Consider the fact that family values define
us; that our divorce rate is lower (although climbing); that we are usually considered
more ethical and honest because of our beliefs - as was indicated by interviewing
people about why Joseph Lieberman, an observant Jew, was considered a plus for
the Gore ticket. And even our food is sought after. More non Jews buy Kosher certified foods than Jews!
There are also
many individual cases where an visibly religious Jew will make a Kiddush HaShem
as did a couple of people I wrote about a recently. There are many more instances
of observant Jews making a Kiddush HaShem.
There is a
reason that Judaism is the most admired religion. It isn’t because of the identifiably
observant miscreants that are so often depicted in the media who often end up
in prison – mostly deserving of it. And we have a lot of them, unfortunately.
The
observant prison population not only exists, it is apparently big enough to a have
Sefer (Halachic book) published for it. It is called
Asurei HaMelech by Rav Mordechai
Agasi of Boro Park. I kid you not. From the Seforim blog:
(This) is a large two volume set, and the first half of volume one deals with the halakhot relevant to one who is serving time in prison (or as I told a friend, “the halakhot of being in jail”). The rest of the book contains words of inspiration, stories, prayers, etc. all of importance for the prisoner. As the author explains in his introduction, the book is needed because of the increase of haredim in the prisons.
If this is
not a Chilul HaShem, I don’t know what is. Not the Sefer. But that there is a need for one.
This is why
I publicly condemn these people for what they did… and will continue to do so every
time I see it! Just as their acts in
most cases were a Chilul HaShem, so too must there be an observant public voice
saying so. And certainly not any voices trying to deny it; minimize it; or explain it away entirely. Or in some cases actually trying to justify it!
It is
imperative to inform the world that despite the fact that these people are outwardly
religious, that they do not act in accordance with the values of the Torah. Just like a Kiddush HaShem should be made
public, so too should the condemnation of a Chilul HaShem by bad or misguided
Jews - especially those who are so overtly religious - be made public.
What is
perhaps even sadder about this story is that this book apparently deals with
rituals, inspiration, and prayers. It apparently does not address the reasons so
many religious people are increasingly ending up in prison. It does not seem to
address the any of crimes. It just deals with what to do once you are in
prison. It is almost as if the author thinks that these religious convicts are
innocent victims of an anti Semitic government. That they have somehow been unjustly imprisoned.
By the
author’s own admission the incidence of Charedim in prison is increasing. Why
doesn’t he address it? Why are there so many observant criminals in prison? Why
doesn’t he write a Sefer on the importance of following the law of the land?
Why doesn’t he write about avoiding Chilul HaShem at all costs – even when an act
is technically legal?
I am truly
disappointed that such a Sefer was written. Not because I don’t want Jewish
criminals to be as observant as possible. I do. But because it is an admission
that so many of us have truly gone astray to the point of thinking we can break
the law as long as we don’t get caught. And if we do, Nebech, it’s not our
fault. Here’s a book that will tell you how to stay Frum.