Editorial: Required viewing

Posted

Issue of August 7, 2009 / 17 Av 5769

Everyone makes mistakes. That is the legitimate and charitable reaction from the most charitable among us to the arrests that brought shame and embarrassment to the entire Jewish world.

Our mistake didn't involve anything illegal, immoral or fattening. We pay our taxes, wash clothes but never cash, do not receive Section 8 housing assistance and have successfully resisted an oddly compelling urge to get rich quick by trafficking in human organs.

No, our mistake was a sin of omission. We should have but did not attend the 'Asifa' or gathering sponsored by Agudath Israel in Borough Park last week — the one intended to remind those of us who need reminding that Hashem's chosen people are not supposed to lie, cheat or steal. It's a shame that we need reminding but recent events conclusively proved that we do.

Not attending the get-together in Borough Park was a mistake for two reasons. First, we missed the opportunity to see redemption in the making — to hear a public mea culpa from a Chassidishe rebbe who has pleaded guilty to money-laundering charges from an earlier round of embarrassing arrests.

The Spinka Rebbe of Borough Park, Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Weisz, apologized for his actions. In so doing he re-earned the respect of many.

"Out of necessity we allowed ourselves to indulge in illegal acts," he said, according to a transcript on the Vosizneias.com website. "As painful as it may be, we must admit we have failed. Things have happened at our mosdos [institutions] that should not have happened. We must acknowledge this, and make it known publicly, because we're hoping it does not repeat itself.”

"I'd like to tell you that we've learned it's possible to lead Torah and chessed organizations in accordance with the law. Yes, it is possible. People think it cannot be done, but we've learned this the hard way."

A true leader knows how to admit to making a mistake. Sadly, most of our current leaders don't seem to know it. Rav Weisz, however, has arguably showed himself to be a true leader.

The other reason not attending the Asifa in Borough Park was a mistake was because we missed out on the opportunity to hear what may have been one of the most magnificent, on point, speaking-truth-to-power speeches in modern Jewish history.

Lawrence attorney Benjamin Brafman, clean-shaven, wearing a business suit and kippah seruga in sea of beards and black hats, told his audience the three saddest words he's ever heard were “Tatty, kimpt aheym,” — Daddy, come home — spoken by a three year old boy visiting his father in prison.

If you haven't seen Brafman's speech on YouTube, (part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) we urge you to do so. It is required viewing for all of us. Instead of the next round of fundraising chatchkes this year, perhaps every Jewish institution ought to mail out a DVD of Brafman's remarks.