Thank You Antisemites
Aron Moss
Question: When in public with my Kippah, I often get antisemitic taunts shouted at me from drivers passing by. How should I react to someone calling me a dirty Jew? If it were to my face it would be different, but here I only have a split-second to respond and they are gone. Should I shout back? Ignore?
Response: The most appropriate reaction to being called a Jew is to say thank you. No matter what adjective is added, being a Jew is a badge of honour.
Whenever someone hurls me that compliment, I tip my hat in appreciation. I can think of nothing better than to be identified as a part of the Jewish people. And I will proudly accept that accolade from whoever throws it at me.
The truth is, some of the most generous compliments about Jews come from those who hate us the most.
Hitler said, “Conscience is a Jewish invention.” I would give G-d the credit for that, but thanks anyway for crediting us with giving such a gift to the world.
Senior Hamas official Ali Baraka recently told an interviewer: “The Israelis are known to love life. We, on the other hand, sacrifice ourselves. We consider our dead to be martyrs."
Lechaim, Ali. We do love life. If only you would respect your own people's lives as much as we do, there would be no war.
But when it comes to complimenting the Jewish people, no one said it nicer than Haman, the villain of the Purim story:
"There is one nation, scattered and dispersed amongst the nations...."
So right. We are one nation, united forever. We may be scattered and dispersed, both geographically and ideologically. But the Hamans of history have always reminded us that the Jewish people are one and indivisible. And he continued:
"Their laws are different from every other people."
Spot on. Our code of ethics usually differs from that of the United Nations. Our sense of right and wrong does not always align with world opinion. And we are proud of it. Our laws condemn evil behaviour, regardless of the identity of its victim and its perpetrator. We believe there is one G-d and one standard of justice for all humanity. Not sure the UN or International Criminal Court agree with that. But thanks, Haman, for noticing that our laws are different.
As King David said in the Psalms: “Make me wise from my enemies”. We can learn a lot from the statements of those who hate us. They despise morality and conscience. They celebrate death and hate life. And they can't stand when Jews are united. We can see goodness from what evil hates.
Our response is to strengthen our commitment to moral living, redouble our celebration of life, and deepen our sense of oneness with our people.
So next time someone calls you a Jew from a passing car, thank them. Feel blessed to be part of the nation that stands for goodness, life and unity. They may think it's a hit-and-run insult, but really it's a drive-by compliment.
