Message from R’ Schonfeld: R’ Yoel Schonfeld

I was going to write about the current situation from a religious and political perspective. Specifically, I was going to write in detail how many of our local Queens representatives on all levels and from all neighborhoods in the borough have disappointed us. Some are shocking, as they were previously very helpful – and helpful to the Jewish community. Almost all of them have the local organized Jewish community to thank for their election. I did warn them that this would happen, if the loyalty of the elected officials to the community was never allowed to be questioned; so I am entitled to say, “I told you so!” But I will leave that for another time.

Although it’s been less than three months since the October 7 massacre, which has changed Israel and the world, we should at this point begin to learn some very important lessons. I know that it is not up to me to preach to the public, but I am entitled to express my analyses of what is happening.

I am always very appreciative of the positive feedback for my articles that I receive over time. A recurrent theme I hear that is very meaningful to me is that I write what most people are thinking. That might be the most important role of a columnist: to express that which most people believe but don’t find the ability or venue to express.

Ask the average lettered Jew: Which instances does the Torah explicitly describe the reward of long life for performing a mitzvah. The odds are heavily that they will respond with Kibud Av VaEim, honoring parents (Sh’mos 20:12), and Shiluach HaKein, sending away the mother bird when taking her chicks (D’varim 22:7).

A few years ago, I wrote an article titled “How Crazy Are We?” In the article, I decry the fact that so many Jews, including those with yarmulkes, are seen protesting Trump and his policy on immigration. I was upset that these Jewish kids had shown no appreciation to Donald Trump, warts and all, for all that he had done for Israel, but instead chose to trash him. I was also upset that these same kids did not see the need for legal immigration the way our parents and grandparents arrived in this country.

The rising tide of anti-Semitism sweeping across Europe, bringing in its wake propaganda and physical attacks eerily reminiscent of the years before the Holocaust; the fanatic hatred of fundamentalists towards the State of Israel and the Jewish people in general; the readiness of nations to appease tyrannical regimes such as Iran rather than face them down… all drive home the clear message that the world community is yet willing to tolerate the demonization and destruction of entire peoples.