Forgive me, America. As much as I don?t like to hear about 50 million people being plunged into darkness, I was grateful for one thing...
Before the blackout, front pages and lead stories across the world were carrying the name of Yehuda Abraham - the New York gem dealer and Jew who is allegedly involved in the money laundering end of a missile-smuggling plot. This stuff is premium fuel for the anti-Semite. Sometimes, I wish I held the master electric/electronic switch of the world, because this is one story I wish I, and the rest of the world, wouldn?t be able read, watch or hear. Lo and behold, my wish came true and darkness descended upon the headlines. A brief reprieve from disturbing news.
I have no doubt that Mr. Abraham abhors Bin Laden?s ideology and I?ll bet he had no idea who he was dealing with. To him, it may have been just another transaction. Business is business - or is it? We all hope Mr. Abraham is as innocent as the pure-driven snow, but he does keep strange company and the press has already done significant damage.
The Jew (with the name Yehuda Abraham, no less), gems, New York and money-laundering. Either G-d is moonlighting for Der Sturmer or he?s trying, once again, to teach us a lesson that we have yet to absorb.
A Jew is required to sanctify G-d?s name even (especially?) when dealing with the material world. We are also part of a collective body and are therefore bound to constantly consider the consequences of our deeds, lest we inadvertently endanger our people through sheer stupidity. Interesting how somebody who deals in precious stones would divert into money-laundering. Precious stones were part of the holy garments worn by the Cohen Priest as a reminder of the awesome responsibility he had in representing all of his people in the Temple.
It seems that American Jews, who make their fortunes in everything from Seagrams to SlimFast, like to cross lines and dabble in precarious dealings (some legal and some not), and it doesn?t always bode well for us. Both Mr. Bronfman and Mr. (Daniel) Abraham contributed more than their share towards the bankrolling of Oslo. But, then again, aren?t all of America?s rich and famous tempted to engage in bids for greater fame, fortune and political influence? Unfortunately, what may work well for Arnold Shwarzennegger, will often backfire on the Jew - both individually and collectively.
For us, America?s melting pot is fast-becoming a large vat where one dumps their talents, efforts and valuables to keep the golden calf well-fed. For the Jews, The goldene medina has turned into a sort of Mount Olympus or ancient Egypt, where people sacrifice themselves in an effort to keep their personal and national gods happy. How low have we sunk?
Don?t get me wrong, as I?m not knocking the keen business sense and financial acumen that we Jews have carefully cultivated through our years in the Diaspora - skills that have spawned innovative ideas and revolutionary products. Nor am I deriding our sharp sense of justice, which has produced some outstanding lawyers, diplomats and legislators. But, when we use our talents and intelligence towards money laundering and other sundry scams in the world of finance, and we pander to politicians in self-serving schemes, or when the most blatantly outrageous criminals are defended by gifted Jewish lawyers, then it is time for a reality check. We need to remind ourselves of who we are. And we need to ask ourselves, where are we standing and where are we going?
The Patriarch Jacob spent years wheeling and dealing outside of his land. He went from being an innocent, scholarly type to a shrewd and successful businessman, thanks to his ?hospitable? uncle, Lavan. For Jacob, it was a matter of survival. C?mon, a guy?s gotta make a living, right? When he finally had enough of that scene, Jacob has some sharp words with his uncle and heads back home. But, before he re-enters the Land of Israel, he does some heavy soul-wrestling with an angel. When he prevails, he is told that he will receive a new name - Israel. In Hebrew, this name comes from Yishar El which means, ?G-d?s honest one?. Jacob is then able to enter the Holy Land with a pure heart.
Uncle Sam may or may not be related to the Biblical uncle Lavan, but they are both heavily connected to a ?white house? and both have offered us Jews years of hospitality (for the price of our souls and those of our children).
American Jewry, the writing is on the wall. It may be time to engage in some wrestling of your own. But a word of advice, unload some of that Diaspora-acquired baggage first, as it?s best to travel light.
Before the blackout, front pages and lead stories across the world were carrying the name of Yehuda Abraham - the New York gem dealer and Jew who is allegedly involved in the money laundering end of a missile-smuggling plot. This stuff is premium fuel for the anti-Semite. Sometimes, I wish I held the master electric/electronic switch of the world, because this is one story I wish I, and the rest of the world, wouldn?t be able read, watch or hear. Lo and behold, my wish came true and darkness descended upon the headlines. A brief reprieve from disturbing news.
I have no doubt that Mr. Abraham abhors Bin Laden?s ideology and I?ll bet he had no idea who he was dealing with. To him, it may have been just another transaction. Business is business - or is it? We all hope Mr. Abraham is as innocent as the pure-driven snow, but he does keep strange company and the press has already done significant damage.
The Jew (with the name Yehuda Abraham, no less), gems, New York and money-laundering. Either G-d is moonlighting for Der Sturmer or he?s trying, once again, to teach us a lesson that we have yet to absorb.
A Jew is required to sanctify G-d?s name even (especially?) when dealing with the material world. We are also part of a collective body and are therefore bound to constantly consider the consequences of our deeds, lest we inadvertently endanger our people through sheer stupidity. Interesting how somebody who deals in precious stones would divert into money-laundering. Precious stones were part of the holy garments worn by the Cohen Priest as a reminder of the awesome responsibility he had in representing all of his people in the Temple.
It seems that American Jews, who make their fortunes in everything from Seagrams to SlimFast, like to cross lines and dabble in precarious dealings (some legal and some not), and it doesn?t always bode well for us. Both Mr. Bronfman and Mr. (Daniel) Abraham contributed more than their share towards the bankrolling of Oslo. But, then again, aren?t all of America?s rich and famous tempted to engage in bids for greater fame, fortune and political influence? Unfortunately, what may work well for Arnold Shwarzennegger, will often backfire on the Jew - both individually and collectively.
For us, America?s melting pot is fast-becoming a large vat where one dumps their talents, efforts and valuables to keep the golden calf well-fed. For the Jews, The goldene medina has turned into a sort of Mount Olympus or ancient Egypt, where people sacrifice themselves in an effort to keep their personal and national gods happy. How low have we sunk?
Don?t get me wrong, as I?m not knocking the keen business sense and financial acumen that we Jews have carefully cultivated through our years in the Diaspora - skills that have spawned innovative ideas and revolutionary products. Nor am I deriding our sharp sense of justice, which has produced some outstanding lawyers, diplomats and legislators. But, when we use our talents and intelligence towards money laundering and other sundry scams in the world of finance, and we pander to politicians in self-serving schemes, or when the most blatantly outrageous criminals are defended by gifted Jewish lawyers, then it is time for a reality check. We need to remind ourselves of who we are. And we need to ask ourselves, where are we standing and where are we going?
The Patriarch Jacob spent years wheeling and dealing outside of his land. He went from being an innocent, scholarly type to a shrewd and successful businessman, thanks to his ?hospitable? uncle, Lavan. For Jacob, it was a matter of survival. C?mon, a guy?s gotta make a living, right? When he finally had enough of that scene, Jacob has some sharp words with his uncle and heads back home. But, before he re-enters the Land of Israel, he does some heavy soul-wrestling with an angel. When he prevails, he is told that he will receive a new name - Israel. In Hebrew, this name comes from Yishar El which means, ?G-d?s honest one?. Jacob is then able to enter the Holy Land with a pure heart.
Uncle Sam may or may not be related to the Biblical uncle Lavan, but they are both heavily connected to a ?white house? and both have offered us Jews years of hospitality (for the price of our souls and those of our children).
American Jewry, the writing is on the wall. It may be time to engage in some wrestling of your own. But a word of advice, unload some of that Diaspora-acquired baggage first, as it?s best to travel light.