Should We Boycott Back?
Aron Moss
Question: I'm furious about the targeting of Jewish businesses, boycotts and doxxing going around. I want to take revenge. Shouldn't we make lists of all businesses owned by people who are anti-Israel and publish them too?
Response: We should not be supporting those who publicly hate us. But we should also be careful not to expend too much energy on negativity. We fight darkness with light. So here is a mitzvah we can do to counter this darkness.
Let's make a point of supporting Jewish-owned businesses. If our enemies want to hurt our community, we need to strengthen it. When others stop patronising a store only because it's Jewish, we should patronise it for the very same reason.
Do your food shopping at the Jewish grocery, and buy your fashion from Jewish designers. Switch your mortgage to the Jewish broker, and sell your house via the Jewish agent. Use the Jewish florist (if you can find one), and the Jewish accountant (if you can find one that isn't).
We especially need to show support to those businesses that openly advertise their Jewishness, like kosher establishments. Even if you don't usually keep kosher, make a point to eat out at a kosher restaurant, and buy kosher meat and bread. For your next function, use the kosher caterer, the Jewish band and the suppliers from within the community.
This is not a boycott. It is the opposite. We deeply appreciate our friendly non-Jewish neighbours, and we should support all those who stand for what's right. But if we do not look after our own, nobody else will.
Indeed, favouring the Jewish option may sometimes come at a cost. The kosher prices may be higher, and the Jewish stores may be further from home. But we send a powerful message when we put aside our comfort for a higher purpose. This is a true expression of our priorities.
Don't just buy Jewish, tell the shop owner that you are doing so. Then every time you shop, you are supporting your people, doing a mitzvah, and spreading love. That is our revenge over darkness.
