Shules and Israel are inseparably connected

As reported by Times of Israel and JTA, Zohran Mamdani, New York City’s mayor-elect, has responded to an ugly protest targeting an event promoting immigration to Israel at an Upper East Side synagogue, suggesting that the event was an inappropriate use of a “sacred space”.

The protest last week organised by a group called Palestinian Assembly for Liberation, has drawn allegations of antisemitism from Jewish leaders in the city. According to reports from the scene, participants shouted phrases including “globalise the intifada” and “death to the IDF” as well as vile insults toward pro-
Israel counter-protesters. Police separated the protesters and counter-protesters but did not halt the demonstration.

The following day Mamdani’s press secretary, Dora Pekec, said in a statement: “The Mayor-elect has discouraged the language used at last night’s protest and will continue to do so.”

She went on, “He believes every New Yorker should be free to enter a house of worship without intimidation, and that these sacred spaces should not be used to promote activities in violation of international law.”

Pekec did not offer further comments about whether or why Mamdani believed the event at Park East Synagogue, a prominent Orthodox congregation, promoted violations of international law.

The purpose of my comments today is not to discuss issues of the situation facing New York Jewry following Mamdani’s election. Much has been and will be said regarding the implications of his election for the major thriving centre of world Diaspora Jewry. Sadly so often in history when all appeared good for us the atmosphere suddenly changed – with in some cases terrible results. Let us be thankful that we are only dealing with the lowest tier of government – albeit its power is so much greater than that of its Australian equivalent.

I feel that the comment implying misuse of a sacred space by promoting Israel and immigration thereto does require a sharp response – which is best provided based on a traditional talmudic approach. For even while one may have hesitations regarding the appropriateness of using a shule for certain purposes, when it comes to promoting Israel such comments are absolutely out of order for they ignore the intrinsic relationship between Israel and our shules.

The tractate Berachot, the opening tractate of Talmud Bavli, the Babylonian Talmud,  contains much material regarding prayer. Its first chapter opens with matters to do with the Shema, that fundamental three paragraph section repeated each morning and evening. And as we proceed through that chapter,  regarding the last of the verses of the second section that commences – “vehaya im shamo’a,  and it will be if you listen (to My mitzvot)” – we read (Berachot 8a) of a fascinating episode regarding a talmudic sage concerned with the implications of the literal meaning of Torah verses.

“They said to Rabbi Yochanan (who himself was elderly) that there are elderly people in Babylon. He was amazed and puzzled. He responded: ‘It is written (that one keeps mitzvot) in order to prolong your days and your children’s days in the land that Hashem has given’ (i.e. Eretz Israel) – but outside the land there is no promise of longevity. However once they told Rabbi Yochanan that the elders of Babylon rise early to attend the synagogue in the morning and stay late in the synagogue in the evening he said ‘that is the reason that gained them long life, as Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said to his sons, arise early and stay late in the synagogue so that your days will be prolonged’”.

A key commentator on the Talmud whose commentary is generally printed at the end of each tractate is Rabbi Samuel Edeles. Born in 1555 in Kraków, Poland he died in 1631 in Ostroh, Ukraine.  Better known by the name of Maharsha (Morenu Harav Shmuel Adeles – Our Teacher Rabbi Samuel Adeles) his famous commentary on the Talmud is so entitled Chidushei Maharsha.

It seems that the Maharsha was not satisfied with the answer for after all the verse is clear – the longevity promise is specifically applicable in the land Eretz Israel. However he concluded that the mystery was solved for Rabbi Yochanan when he heard of the shule attendance. In Tractate Megillah (29a) we are told that in the future (i.e. the Messianic era) the batei knesset (synagogues) and batei midrash (study halls) of Babylon (i.e. the Diaspora) will be reestablished in Israel. That being so, and given that before God time is no barrier, for one who spends time therein even in the pre-Messianic era it is as if they were already in Eretz Israel and the Eretz Israel blessing of longevity is already applicable. (For further detail refer to the original text of the Maharsha or the summary in the Artscroll edition, Berachot 8a, Note 31).

And so I conclude, gatherings in synagogues to strengthen life in Israel are indeed in order. Hopefully those of us who do so spend time in the synagogue or study hall will gain longevity. And regarding the promise that the places of study and prayer in the Diaspora will be reestablished  in our land, it is undeniable that that process is already underway.

May we experience more evidence thereof speedily in our days.

Shabbat shalom,
Yossi

Yossi Aron OAM is The AJN’s 
religious affairs editor.