Submitted by Shepard (United States), Dec 19, 2006 at 11:35
Taking an inflated wage is equal to taking a bribe in Halacha, let alone taking money from someone you advocate for, so that is an easily condemned valid criticism. But to their credit, Neturei Karta has been able to achieve what no other Haredim ever could, and that is movement and influence among kafurim. Rabbi Cohen's speech was anything but an example of holocaust denial. In fact the voice of NK was the only voice at the conference that defended a non-revisionist view of history and reconciliation between peoples.
What must the Iranians have thought seeing Litvish Jews embracing their president and then politely disagreeing while bringing in unimpeachable evidence for their argument? In exchange for what did they achieve this? Becoming Dhimmis? From a secular standpoint this might be detestable, but among the pious the example of Jeremiah, Daniel, and various other nevi'im are not lost. Isn't it better to stand and speak plainly before people who want to destroy you, than to be a scowling insular martyr? What was the story about R. Ben Zakkai? He tried to talk the rebels of Mazada down from their stronghold, then made a deal with Vespasian to build a Yeshiva? This is what the pious do.
"However, our approach is that when one suffers, the one who perpetrates the suffering is obviously guilty but he will never succeed if the victim did not deserve it in one way or another."
Anyone who has read the Tanakh knows this to be true. Either you believe in the God of Israel and accept this or you are faithless. Simple as that. "Jews" who reject this shouldn't even claim to deserve or desire Eretz Yisrael, because of what use is it to them without this fundamental faith in God? Ancestral territory? God forbid.
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