Orthodox Rabbis: “Racism Originated In The Torah”

Last updated on: December 9, 2010 at 1:18 am by Jeffrey L. Falick

Orthodox Rabbis: “Racism Originated In The Torah” 2010-12-09T01:18:00-05:00 Jeffrey L. Falick

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When my liberal religious friends jump on me for declaring that the bible is racist, I can now point out that my opinion is consistent with Orthodox Jewish teachings. This is according to dozens of municipal chief rabbis in Israel:

A number of leading rabbis who signed on to a religious ruling to forbid renting homes to gentiles – a move particularly aimed against Arabs [with Israeli citizenship] – defended their decision on Tuesday with the declaration that the land of Israel belongs to the Jews.

…”We don’t need to help Arabs set down roots in Israel,” Rabbi Shlomo Aviner of the Beit El settlement, said on Tuesday. Aviner explained that he supported the move for two reasons: one, a Jew looking for an apartment should get preference over a gentile; and two, to keep the growing Arab population from settling too deeply.

“Racism originated in the Torah,” said Rabbi Yosef Scheinen, who heads the Ashdod Yeshiva. …[A]nd that is what the [sage] Rashi interpreted.”

I can’t argue with the good rabbi one bit. Rashi did teach that. Repeatedly. I keep saying that the Torah is not and should not be our source of morality. And what do I get for my honesty? A lot of blather about how wonderful Torah values are and how I should accord them more respect.

And I keep repeating: It’s Jewish mythology. It’s endlessly fascinating. It’s no moral guide.

Well, the next time I’m asked why I reject the bible as my source of morality, I’ll remind people that there are plenty of Orthodox rabbis who agree with my reading of it. Even if they are completely clueless about the consequences.

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