Dear Rabbi Jacobson

Why is it that the more religious/observant many Jewish people become, the more bigoted they become? I grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa where the Orthodox and the Lubavitch Jewish community were shameful in their treatment of black people and in their attitudes towards black people. It brought out an unacceptable face of religion that has made me skeptical to this day. I see similar attitudes in the Lubavitch and Orthodox Jews of London and New York. If religion is about making people so narrow, it makes we want no part of it. I know you say we have to distinguish between the system and the people, but I think the problem cannot so easily be brushed aside. For me it raises a number of problematic questions, such as: Is the system being taught/ interpreted in such a way as to produce bigoted and racist Jews? Are the majority of the Jews who are attracted to orthodox/ Lubavitch conservative in the first place and so bring all this “baggage” with them?

Sincerely,
David

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Dear David

Hard as it may seem, we must distinguish between the system and the people. This is one of the unfortunate results of a world where there is a dichotomy between G-d and the universe, between the soul and the body, between the purpose of our existence and our existence, between our inner and outer selves, between who we (really) are and what we do -- a result of the holy Temple's destruction.

I should add, that distorted “religion” could, in a perverse way, cause one to become more corrupt and bigoted than a faithless person. Because the “religion” justifies and allows one to feel that G-d is condoning and even encouraging the bigotry. No greater distortion is possible in my eyes. But this is the sad result of a soulless “religion,” one that has become relegated to a technical, dogmatic bureaucracy, rather than a G-dly, divine and sacred experience.

Yet, as I discussed, this isn't merely a tragic end in itself; recognizing this dichotomy and schism, allows us the opportunity to begin the healing process through baseless and unconditional love. This is the challenge of our times. For those of us who can see -- and clearly you see with your sensitivity to this bigotry -- we must deal not with the symptoms alone, but with the causes. We must get to the root of the issue by reintroducing a spirit of soul -- and the resulting love -- into our society. And your challenge is not to remain angry or bitter and skeptical. Let us do something constructive with this tragic realization of so much bigotry even amongst our brethren. We only have that many years in our lives; why squander them in skepticism and negative feelings, which only perpetuates the resignation. We must generate positive energy, by taking forceful and productive measures in introducing a sense of purpose and spiritual focus in our lives.

This is the only approach and frankly, the only positive way I know of to channel our anger and disappointment in the people we know. We can either remain detached and skeptical, which I believe is some form of “victimization,” or we can take the initiative, the bull by the horns, and make a change. Let us not be intimidated by the number of bigots and racists. Each of us can make a difference and change the tide, especially when we join together.

You may want to check out the transcript of my radio show on Racism which deals with the topic in more detail.

Sincerely,
Simon Jacobson