Awakening Jewish Conscience: Rabbi Weiss’s Call to Reject Zionism and Embrace True Torah Values
In an age where political ideologies often overshadow religious teachings, Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss of Neturei Karta stands as a beacon of authentic Jewish values. His impassioned stance against Zionism and the state of Israel serves as a reminder of the true essence of Judaism, rooted in peace, coexistence, and unwavering adherence to divine commandments.
Rabbi Weiss, speaking to TRT World, articulates a powerful and controversial stance: “The existence of Zionist Israel is antithetical to Judaism.” This assertion, grounded in the Torah, challenges the widely held belief that Zionism is synonymous with Jewish identity. Instead, Rabbi Weiss argues that Zionism, a relatively recent political movement, fundamentally contradicts the teachings and values of Judaism.
Zionism emerged around 150 years ago says Rabbi Weiss, primarily driven by individuals estranged from Jewish religious practices. They were nationalists seeking a homeland to foster a sense of pride and belonging, a stark departure from the traditional Jewish approach to diaspora and exile.
For centuries, despite enduring immense hardships such as the Crusades and the Inquisition, Jews refrained from attempting to re-establish a sovereign state. This restraint is deeply rooted in the belief that their exile is divinely ordained, and they must remain loyal citizens of their host countries until God’s decree changes.
Rabbi Weiss highlights the historical coexistence between Jews and Muslims, particularly emphasizing the sanctuary Jews found in Muslim lands during the Inquisition. This peaceful coexistence was disrupted by the advent of Zionism, which sought to establish a Jewish state in a land already inhabited by Palestinians. Rabbi Weiss condemns the Zionist tactics of displacing Palestinians, viewing them as violations of Torah laws, which forbid stealing, killing, and oppressing others.
Zionists, Rabbi Weiss contends, manipulated religious sentiments to garner support, especially from Evangelical Christians and secular Jews unfamiliar with Torah teachings. They propagated the idea that establishing a state in Palestine was a divine mandate, despite the inherent contradictions with Jewish laws and ethics. This narrative facilitated the oppression and displacement of Palestinians, a direct violation of Torah principles.
Rabbi Weiss and his community have faced significant backlash for their stance. He recounts instances of vandalism and personal attacks, yet remains undeterred. His unwavering commitment to truth and justice underscores the broader resistance among many religious Jews to Zionism and the state of Israel. Despite accusations of Holocaust denial—particularly painful given his family’s suffering during the Holocaust—Rabbi Weiss persists in his advocacy, driven by a profound sense of moral and religious duty.
The Torah teaches that Jews are to live peacefully among nations during their divinely ordained exile. Scriptures such as Jeremiah 29:7, “Seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace,” emphasize this principle. Furthermore, the Talmudic tradition warns against forcing the end of exile, advocating instead for patience and faith in divine timing (Ketubot 111a).
Rabbi Weiss’s message is a clarion call to Jews worldwide to reject Zionism and return to the authentic teachings of the Torah. By embracing the principles of peace, justice, and coexistence, Jews can honor their religious heritage and stand in solidarity with oppressed Palestinians. This perspective, though suppressed in mainstream media, resonates with many Jews who recognize the moral and ethical imperatives of their faith.
As we strive to awaken Jewish conscience, let us amplify the voices like Rabbi Weiss’s, advocating for a just and peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is through such truth-telling and adherence to divine commandments that we can hope to heal and unite, fostering a world where Jews, Muslims, and all people can coexist in harmony.
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“To claim Palestine after two thousand years made no more sense to him than the Italians claiming Germany because it was once occupied by the Romans.”
― Fred Uhlman, Reunion