In truth, I knew nothing about Charlie Kirk. Yes, I had heard his name, but I thought he was just another influencer with not much to peddle. Then came that horrific moment when Charlie was assassinated. My kids reacted as though they had lost a personal friend, and so did countless others. I was immediately sent numerous clips of him engaging students in debates, with Charlie advocating conservative ideals. Afterwards, I saw Charlie fiercely debate in favor of Israel during the Gaza War.
It was then that I began to realize what an immense tragedy this was for sanity in America and for a strong, unabashed supporter of Israel – plus the personal side: leaving a grieving widow and two little children.
I watched the events unfold and prayed that Charlie would somehow survive his grievous wound. I, too, felt like I had lost a personal friend – only 31 years old.
The rav of the shul where I daven in Baltimore broke from his usual standard on Shabbos morning of not addressing current events and mentioned the Charlie Kirk assassination. He said he understands that people are upset at his death, but why are frum Jews more taken by the death of Charlie Kirk than they are by the six murdered Jews on a bus at Ramot Junction last week, as well as the four Israeli soldiers killed that same day?
He said he asked a wise person in the shul this question, and the answer was that the six Jews and the soldiers we did not know. Charlie Kirk had a personalized relationship with many Jews. I guess that’s not a good answer, but it is a truthful one. The problem is we should feel as though every Jew is our brother or sister. It is much easier said than done, but it is our responsibility to see to it that it becomes reality.
The Right was blaming the Left for all their harsh rhetoric – like calling Republicans Nazis and fascists – which encourages violence. The Left was somehow blaming the Right. Of course, the conversation turned to gun control.
I remember when Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in 1968; the reaction centered around gun control. In the 57 years that have passed, the same old worn-out discussion is still around.
But the problem is not the control of guns – though, for my part, no guns should be manufactured in America at all – but one of culture.
It is a culture where movies, television, and video games glorify murder and bloodshed. Is it any wonder that we witness bloodshed in real life? If Hollywood celebrities are pointing to all kinds of figures in the blame game, it’s time for them to look at themselves. Their industry is at the root of the violence that’s taken over America today. On the same day as the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a shooting took place at the University of Massachusetts. The next day, the Annapolis Naval Academy also had a gun incident. School and church shootings have almost become routine. It is all due to the culture of violence in this land.
Think about it: In Israel, almost every civilian carries a gun. Soldiers come home on leave from the army with automatic weapons stored in their homes. Guns are everywhere. But do you recall a mass shooting in Israel? It is not in the Israeli Jewish culture.
Again, it’s time to examine the entertainment industry. But it’s doubtful that any of its participants will want to take an honest look. It doesn’t fit the script. Charlie Kirk died as a result of that very culture he preached against.
And we must address our own culture, where we do not directly feel the pain of the tragic loss of our fellow Jews.
Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld is the Rabbi Emeritus of the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, President of the Coalition for Jewish Values, former President of the Vaad Harabonim of Queens, and the Rabbinic Consultant for the Queens Jewish Link.