How long do we tolerate this outrage (Part 2)?

This is the continuation of last week’s column.

Chazal tell us, in the Eleh Ezkera midrash that we recite on Yom Kippur, that the execution of the 10 great Holy Sages by the Romans is an atonement for our collective sin of the sale of Yosef by his brothers (a sin that the brothers never clearly did teshuva for).

On the face of it, it’s a monstrous notion, that our greatest Mishnaic and Talmudic sages, who provided our understanding of the oral law,and the framework for Rabbinic Judaism, would die in the most heinous ways for sins committed by their forbearers. The idea is so outrageous that the Eleh Ezkera itself records the angels beseeching Hashem: “How can you destroy these Holy Saintly souls?”

Whereupon G-d, brooking no question or dissent, answers, “One more word and I will end the entire world.”

That is because no rational explanation would suffice. To our meager understanding, this is an act that G-d allows and only He knows and understands the reasons why.

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similar lack in our understanding may be applicable to our current situation in Gaza. Though it is impossible to comprehend the reasons for our horrific national and personal tragedies that began on Oct. 7, we know that our lack of ahavat achim (and in fact actual sinat achim) was a painful contributory factor.

Could the humiliations we are currently experiencing be the consequence of and ultimate atonement for the actions of Shimon and Levi? Not their actions against Shechem and Company — those were completely justified in confronting an enemy who had mercilessly kidnapped and raped their sister. Trickery and deceit was justified as was the slaughter of those who had committed such a vicious, unprovoked outrage upon their family and upon their nation.

So what was their sin that provoked Yaakov‘s condemnation? 

Could it be that Shimon and Levi acted alone? They did not consult with Yaakov or their other brothers but acted impetuously and angrily.

Every verse before that, from the beginning of the Dina story, talks about Benei Yaakov the Sons of

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t’s even evident in the language of Yaakov‘s deathbed “blessing” of both of them at the end of his life (49:5–7). He declares, “klei chamas m’chairoteihem (their weaponry is a stolen craft),” meaning they learned the sword not from Yaacov but from Eisav (Rashi).

Once again we encounter that biblical word chamas, which means robbery and violence and is so laden with the same sound and meaning as the dreaded implacable name Hamas of today. This time however it refers to our Shimon and Levi! They acted alone, in secret conspiracy, keeping their plan hidden from their father and brothers.

Yes, destroy your enemies but consult and unite with your brothers, “b’yachad nenatzeach!”

As we will once again appreciate, with the advent of Purim next week, the way to ultimately defeat our enemies and to remove the cherpa (humiliation) and the nevala (disgrace) is to act united as a people.

Before she embarked on the campaign to enlist the aid of King Achashverush to defeat Haman, Queen Esther tells Mordechai to “gather all the Jews together (Lech knos et kol hayehudim) (Esther 4:16). In unity is our strength and our victory.

Hasn’t that been the lesson of this entire war? Isn’t the reason that this war befell upon us, is because we were anything but united before Oct. 7?

So a few simple steps:

•We should forbid hostage release on the Sabbath to prevent future Shabbat desecration.

•No more public parades and festivals humiliating our loved ones.

•And no more doing “drip drip drip” of hostage releases. Release them all at once! Enough already!

Otherwise there will be “hell to pay,” but led not by Shimon and Levy alone but all of us together.

Shabbat shalom.

Dr. Alan A. Mazurek is a retired neurologist, living in Great Neck, Jerusalem and Florida. He is a former chairman of the ZOA.

Write: Columnist@TheJewishStar.com