Rabbi Who Called For Genocide Against Arabs At Rubashkin's Side During Trial

Rabbi Manis Friedman wrote "I don’t believe in western morality…[we must] [d]estroy their holy sites. Kill men, women and children…"

Friedman has been close to Sholom Rubashkin for more than twenty years.

Also there with Friedman was Rabbi Moshe Feller, the head of Chabad-Lubavitch operation in the Upper Midwest.

You can see both in this video, exiting the courtroom behind Rubashkin:

 

This spring, Friedman and several other rabbis were asked the following question in writing by Moment Magazine: “How Should Jews Treat Their Arab Neighbors?” 

Here is Friedman's full written response:

I don’t believe in western morality, i.e. don’t kill civilians or children, don’t destroy holy sites, don’t fight during holiday seasons, don’t bomb cemeteries, don’t shoot until they shoot first because it is immoral.

The only way to fight a moral war is the Jewish way: Destroy their holy sites. Kill men, women and children (and cattle). [Emphasis mine.]

The first Israeli prime minister who declares that he will follow the Old Testament will finally bring peace to the Middle East. First, the Arabs will stop using children as shields. Second, they will stop taking hostages knowing that we will not be intimidated. Third, with their holy sites destroyed, they will stop believing that G-d is on their side. Result: no civilian casualties, no children in the line of fire, no false sense of righteousness, in fact, no war.

Zero tolerance for stone throwing, for rockets, for kidnapping will mean that the state has achieved sovereignty. Living by Torah values will make us a light unto the nations who suffer defeat because of a disastrous morality of human invention.

Rabbi Manis Friedman
Bais Chana Institute of Jewish Studies
St. Paul, MN

As you might imagine, this sparked a scandal that was played out on television news and print media worldwide and Friedman – after seeming to blame Moment for misrepresenting remarks –  Friedman clarified his remarks as referring to a time of war:

“I attempted to briefly address some of the ethical issues related to forcing the military to withhold fire from certain people and places, at the unbearable cost of widespread bloodshed (on both sides!) -- when one’s own family and nation is mercilessly targeted from those very people and places!” Friedman wrote in a clarification issued through a Chabad spokesperson. “I apologize for any misunderstanding the words printed in my name created.”

Moment's editor pointed out the question does not mention war and none of the other rabbis had made Friedman's error.

You can read more about it in the following posts.

Rabbi Manis Friedman on Arabs: 1, 2, 3, 4.

Here are frames from the video:

 

 

Comments

[Hometown Postville]

Picture caption: It's "Black Hat" Day at the Circus!

[harold]

Rabbi Who Called For Genocide Against Arabs At Rubashkin's Side During Trial

Therefore ...

[state of disgust]

Harold:
To quote an old temperance song:

"You can tell a man who boozes, by the company he chooses, and the pig got up and slowly walked away"

[Michael Makovi]

Shmarya,

"Rabbi Who Called For Genocide Against Arabs At Rubashkin's Side During Trial"

The headline sounds like he yelled that while at the trial. I.e. at Rubashkin's side he called, etc.

How about something like, "Rabbi Who PREVIOUSLY Called for Genocide Against Arabs NOW At Rubashkin's Side During Trial"?

[Rob Wisler]

I think that this article is kind of pointless. These rabbis are part of Chabad of St. Paul, MN. Didn't Rubashkin live up there? Therefore, they are well within their rights to come down and offer him support during the trial.

As much as the corrupt political maneuverings of Feller and the philisophic lies of Freidman disgust me, I still don't think that it is newsworthy that they attended his trial.

[effie]

It's newsworthy because it happened. Other people may find in interesting and informative. I know I do.

[rosen]

What your problem potz?

[harold]

It's newsworthy because it happened

So I guess a story along the line "Convicted sex predator John Doe, an African American, was found to have voted for Barack Obama" would be considered news worthy.

[devorah]

Instead of posting motzi shem ra about Rabbi Manis Friedman, why don't you post one of his excellent dvar torahs ?
I guess the answer is because it doesn't suit the style of this blog.
I don't mind you writing the truth, when necessary, but in this case it is exploitative and misleading. Rabbi Friedman has already explained his error in making the statement you are flaunting on this blog post.
Get over it, and start reporting the truth, without the frills, and you will have a lot more credibility.
But first, I suggest you look at YOURSELF as closely as you are looking at others.
When you drop dead and go to be judged at the Heavenly Court, they will not be asking you about Rabbi Friedman or Rabbi Rubashkin, however they will be asking you about YOU, and why you spread loshon hora about others.

[effie]

So I guess a story along the line "Convicted sex predator John Doe, an African American, was found to have voted for Barack Obama" would be considered news worthy.
Posted by: harold | October 15, 2009 at 09:34 AM

Here's a more accurate analogy: "Convicted sex predator, John Doe, an African American, and close friend of Barack Obama for 20 years, attended Obama's impeachment trial. You can see him in this video exiting the Senate Chambers behind Obama."

Most people would call that news worthy.

[harold]

I guess my point is - was Rabbi Friedman invited to the trial by Rubashkin and was he allowed into the courtroom because of his connections with Rubashkin. If he came of his own free will and got into the courtroom without any "pull" then just what is the story here? Was the story that he left the courtroom using the exact same door as Rubashkins did? Was it that he was behind as opposed to in front of Rubashkins? I just don't see the story here.

What is happening here is that since Scott is doing what I expected, a variance of the "story every time Rubashkins scratches himself". Every step and gesture that will happen will be spun and twisted so that it looks like something evil is going on. Sigh.

[Harold F]

You're known by the company you keep.

[Shmarya]

He's Rubashkin's close friend and he was with the head shaliach for the Upper Midwest – a man Friedman technically works for. Friedman and Feller live within two blocks of each other in Saint Paul.

Feller's son is one of the members of Chabad's Rubashkin Defense Fund / Pidyon Shevuyim Fund. Feller's other son is married to Shea Hecht's daughter. Hecht heads the NCFJE where the Pidyon Shvuyim fund is based – and through which the money flows.

[Shmarya]

What is happening here is that since Scott is doing what I expected, a variance of the "story every time Rubashkins scratches himself". Every step and gesture that will happen will be spun and twisted so that it looks like something evil is going on. Sigh.

What is happening is a troll, 'harold,' needs to protect his own.

[seymour]

the guy sounds like a nazi

[Pablo Faird]

I don`t see any call for genocide, in his clarification which most likely is what he meant in the original statement was that he was referring to in time of war. It is quite obvious that the techniques being used nowadays are not working and that we need to look at how wars were fought and won in the past and apply it to the present.
It`s also quite obvious that if the Allies during WW2 were held to the same moral standard as is expected today, then most of the jews around today would not exist as there would have been no way the Allies would have been allowed to carpet bomb and destroy the German`s and Japanese. As controversial as it now looks, it is still considered to have been a just war and a just means to fight the enemy (though millions of innocent civilians were killed in the process, yes children and cattle included).

[steve]

Off topic:

Ronn Torossian of 5WPR was on the Zev Brenner show last night talking about Obama, Israel and Iran. All of the sudden this idiot is an "expert" on foreign policy?

[a newbie to minnesota]

Shmarya- I Just moved to MN from FL, Would love to meet you.

[Shmarya]

Use the contact tab at the top right of the page banner and email me, please.

[Shmarya]

Ronn Torossian of 5WPR was on the Zev Brenner show last night talking about Obama, Israel and Iran. All of the sudden this idiot is an "expert" on foreign policy?

Brenner may be getting PR services from Ronn in exchange for airtime.

[Office of the Chief Rabbi]

I love the way, Shmarya, you spell out "Saint Paul." It is always amusing to see Manis and his people refer to the place as "S. Paul." Do they spit three times after saying their address?

Do they have a Chabad House in Corpus C., TX?

[The sane one]

Show me your friends and I'll show you your future!!! This holds true in all walks of life.

[harold]

Show me your friends and I'll show you your future!!! This holds true in all walks of life.

Too general of a statement. I am sure that when Scott was a member of the Lubavich sect that he had lots of Lubvavich friends. Look at his transformation!

[Shmarya]

I love the way, Shmarya, you spell out "Saint Paul." It is always amusing to see Manis and his people refer to the place as "S. Paul." Do they spit three times after saying their address?

Do they have a Chabad House in Corpus C., TX?

They have one in Corpus Christi, Queens, NY.

[Office of the Chief Rabbi]

>They have one in Corpus Christi, Queens, NY.

Doesn't Google. I only know Flushing, where my grandparents Z"L lived.

D'oh! You mean the Oh, hell!

Good one!

[Al]

Why is it relevant that Rubashkin clearly see hateful people who would if they could take a path to Genocide ?

Gee ! I dont know.. could it say something about Rubashkin's moral standing (in Western Society i mean) ?

Come on.. when someone can have a relationship with a racist/religious supporter of Genocide because there is some perverse but dogmatic view of right and wrong... you have to ask yourself "what else could Mr. Rubashkin do while thinking he's right ?" Can he lie ? steal ? forge documents ? kill cows with cruelty ? All of these quesitons (the very issues at hand) are trivial next to the messgaes on this guy. The bigger quesiton for me is "does Rubashkin agree with him ?"

[harold]

The bigger quesiton for me is \"does Rubashkin agree with him ?\"

Why do you care? You are putting him on too high a pedestal.

Wow, look at the microscope that he is being viewed with. People are concerned what he thinks, analyzing the size of the picture of the Rebbe that he carries. Talk about being bigger than life!

[R]

harold why are you so defensive when it comes to a man who cheats, steals, lies and treats his workers worse than the torah expects one to treat a slave and on top of that causes cruelty to animals and then has the audacity to "shecht" them and sell them as kosher..? One does protest too much.

[krewz]

R, why are you so offensive when it comes to a man who allegedly.....

(Nothing has been proven)

[AGRI-vated Angel]

Rabbi Manis Friedman must possess the same mindset as Hit_er.

[Bill DaGoy]

I thought Western morality was the reason why the allies(sans Soviets) confronted Hitler and Tojo, and later the Soviets. Were those folks all practitioners of a messianic Eastern morality?

[effie]

krewz: Innocent until proven guilty is a legal fiction. We're not a jury in a court of law. We can state our opinions.

[harold]

krewz: Innocent until proven guilty is a legal fiction. We\'re not a jury in a court of law. We can state our opinions.

True, especally in this blog \"If you are haredi then guilty until proven inncent\"

[effie]

True, especally in this blog \"If you are haredi then guilty until proven inncent\"
Posted by: harold

From what I have read off this blog, they generally are guilty. Deal with it.

[devorah]

While you're busy blogging Rubashkin, there's movement at the Chen station.
He's being extradited to Israel.

[harold]

From what I have read off THIS blog, they generally are guilty. Deal with it.

BINGO! This is the precise problem that I have with this blog, because ONLY the bad is being discussed the uninformed gets a distorted picture of what jews (orthodox or not) are about and arrives at this insane concluson.

[harold]

From what I have read off THIS blog, they generally are guilty. Deal with it.

BINGO! This is the precise problem that I have with this blog, because ONLY the bad is being discussed the uninformed gets a distorted picture of what jews (orthodox or not) are about and arrives at this insane concluson.

[harold]

Sorry about the double post, Computer was slow (like Rubashkins) and I thought first post did not stick.

[effie]

Harold: The community is diseased and sunshine is the best disinfectant. Get use to it. If you can't deal with it, go find another blog. And it is precisely because of people like you, this blog is needed.

[Asa]

Harold, when a cult of persons--any persons, whether priests, monks, or haredim--exhibit themselves as more religious than the average person, and as supposed examples of purity, piety, and holiness, then it isn't unreasonable to hold them to that higher standard; and when they fail--and fail they do, just as well as the average joe, who most often doesn't have the kind of religious, moral upbringing they have had--it isn't unreasonable to point the finger a bit more aggressively at them. I thought the purpose of tzitzim was to be a constant reminder of the ten commandments. What's the point of wearing them if they don't remind well enough to stop the Rubashkins and other 'religious' criminals of the world from committing these crimes? Their crimes make all religious persons, and religion itself, if not God Himself, look even worse to those who would have nothing to do with it. Where's your outrage at that? If you're such an orthodox, your defense should be toward your religion, and toward your God, not its practitioners!

I can't say that all the practices of haredim are bad. I wouldn't be so audacious. But your thinking is skewed.

[Yosef ben Matityahu]

What your problem potz?
Posted by: rosen |

ew! how classy! this must be the loshen haqodesh of the kat ha-minim. qiddush avoda zoreh of the 1st order.
sh.r.yirqov!

[Michael Makovi]

Speaking of St. Paul, what about St. Mary's Hassidim?

[Michael Makovi]

Wait, scratch that.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satmar_(Hasidic_dynasty)#Name --> The town was known as Satu Mare, meaning "great village" in Romanian. It is a Satmarer Hassidic folk etymology that makes "Satu Mare" mean Satmar. It rather puzzles me why the Satmars would invent a falsoe folk etymology that would impugn their own appelation...

Wait a second! Are we going to trust the goyim about the Romanian language? What a bunch of Romanian akumim to tell us what "Satu Mare" means in Romanian? We know only what is contained in our holy Torah!

St. Mary's Hasidim it is.

[Michael Makovi]

*Edit: "It is a Satmarer Hassidic folk etymology that makes "Satu Mare" mean "St. Mary"."

[Shmarya]

From Wikipedia:The original Hungarian name of the town of origin was Szatmár. The name appeared at first in a document written in 1213 in the form "Zotmar". Originally it was derived from a personal name. The Romanian name was first Sǎtmar, differing only in orthography from the Hungarian one, but in 1925 was officially changed to Satu Mare. That version means "large village," with the Romanian Satu ("village") deriving from the Latin fossatum, while Mare means "large" in Romanian.[citation needed]

There is a well known folk etymology, repeated both among members of Satmar itself and in outside literature about the group, that Satu Mare actually meant "Saint Mary."[citation needed] Many Hasidim, occasionally including Reb Yoel himself, referred to the town as "Sakmar" to avoid use of its allegedly "pagan" name. The folk story notwithstanding, the vast majority of hasidim now use the original Hungarian name "Satmar".