For weeks, maybe even months, my mom (a stereotypical Jewish-Mother) has been receiving a constant barrage of e-mails from her Shul friends regarding Senator Obama. My mom's a standard Jewish liberal, very liberal on social issues, and ardent supporter of Isreal and reliable democratic voter, but not overly engaged in politics.
This year has been hard for her, as many of her friends, typically Democrats, have been very critical and suspicious of Senator Obama. So, we have taken up a daily routine as she sends me the smear she gets about Obama, and I type up a nice response for her to shoot back to her friends.
Today in the Chicago Sun-Times was the answer to every smear that Jewish voters have received about Senator Obama. Writen by Rabbi Michael Sternfield of the Chicago Sinai Congregation in Chicago, it addresses the smears about Barack Obama being passed through the Jewish community not only in regards to their accuracy, but also in reagrds to the very idea of even passing these on to others.
Rabbi Sternfield Sun-Times Op-ed
In the Jewish religion, there are few interpersonal transgressions that are condemned more than "lashon ha-ra" and "rechilut," literally evil speech and malicious gossip. Nevertheless, within the Jewish community a vicious smear campaign is being waged against Sen. Barack Obama through unsubstantiated or anonymous e-mails. Frankly, as a rabbi, I am ashamed that these lies are being generated and spread by some within our own Jewish community concerning Obama
Rabbi Sternfield continues with the litany of smears that have made their way into so many of our inboxes. Rabbi Sternfield gets right to the point in describing these smears.
This insidious campaign is incredibly malicious and totally false. Unfortunately, with the power of the Internet, misinformation can be spread instantly throughout the world. By now, almost all Jewish Americans have received some of these e-mails and articles about Barack Obama.....He's a Muslim. He was sworn into office on the Quran. His pastor is an anti-Semite. He's a tool of Louis Farrakhan. He's anti-Israel. His advisers are anti-Israel. He's friends with terrorists. The terrorists want him to win." The attacks on Obama reek of racism and Islamophobia
Rabbi Sternfield also takes Senator McCain to task, saying that his campaign has sat far too quietly as these smears have perpetuated. And even labels it swiftboating. But what Rabbi Sternfield does best is wrap this column up in a way that every Jewish person should understand.
As Jews, we know too well what it means to be the victims of malicious lies. Over the centuries, terrible and false accusations have been repeated about us and our religion. We have suffered grievously from the repetition of distortions, and venomous accusations.
Hitler knowingly and falsely blamed the Jews for all the misfortunes of Germany. Jews dishonor both our own ethical values and our tragic history when they engage in the sin of lashon ha-ra against this remarkable man who has consistently related to our people only with the greatest of respect and understanding.
Thank you rabbi Sternfield for this wonderful column.
Update:Thanks for reading, as requsted here is the digg link
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