by Austin C. Moore
They brought you anti-Zionist ex-Marine Maj. Scott Ritter. They brought you anti-Semitic ex-CIA agent Ray McGovern, on Holocaust Memorial Day nonetheless. Now due to pressure of anti-Jewish bias, the West Virginia State University Political Science Department in collaboration with Seneca 2 features "Rabbi" Arthur Waskow to illustrate they are good sports.
Arthur Waskow is famed in liberal Jewish circles as a post-modern and progressive rabbi, whatever that term means. His credentials and his smicha (ordination) are questionable at best considering he is not affiliated with any recognized institution that can confer such an honor, but received it by a private bet din (rabbinical court) of a Jewish feminist, a Conservative rabbi, and a Reform rabbi. Did he have yeshiva or seminary training? This part of his biography is unclear.
Some of "Rabbi" Waskow's teachings:
(1) Waskow Teaches Marxism from Jewish Prophetic Scriptures
The Hebrew Bible is a proponent of economic justice for the poor which is an obligation of every person, even the poor, to give. There is no Hebrew word for charity, its equivalent is tzedekah, or "justice." It is the poor's right to receive, and the affluent's obligation to give. This is a societal expectation of giving charity, but the Bible falls short of overtly advocating Marxist ideology and redistributive justice.
The Bible discusses free market and contracts. Does the Bible not equally support capitalism? It is futile to use selective imagery in the Bible to peddle a political ideology. The Ethics of the Fathers (Pirkei Avot) in the Talmud states, "The Torah should not be used as a spade with which to dig." It is trivial to contend that the Bible endorses or favors either capitalism or marxism, or any given secular political ideology. You can draw from biblical narratives any symbols are messages one desires to see in them by selecting verses. This is also prohibited: "You shall not add or subtract from the Torah."
(2) Waskow is a Critic of Israeli policies in Gaza and West Bank
It is our obligation to hold every state accountable for its actions, and we should be critical of Israel. Many of the actions that Israel has taken regarding Palestinians is based upon national security measures.
We must recall that Israel was provided statehood based upon the international recognition of the 1947 partition plan. This provided for a two-state solution for both Israel and Palestine. Rather than accepting a two-state solution, the Arab League composed of five armies attacked Israel whose secretary called for them to "Murder the Jews."
Many assert Israel has no right to the land, but Jordan was created through the same process a few years earlier setting the precedent for the establishment of Medinat Yisrael.
A double standard is often placed on Israel. Palestinians have rights in Israel. If Palestinians move to Iran or Jordan, they are often not even provided citizenship. This serves as a deterrent for Palestinians to "give up" in Israel. Arab states do not care about Palestinian "victims," they want to challenge the existence of Israel. By deterring immigration into other Arab states, it perpetuates the controversy and continues to demonize Israel. Jews cannot travel freely in Iran, but international human rights groups do not consider this a human rights abuse. Jews cannot be granted citizenship in Jordan, and they cannot own land, but this is not a human rights abuse?
We talk about Palestinian refugees, but what about the Jewish refugees that were expelled from Arab countries with their wealth confiscated by those governments? Where is the international outcry?
Many accuse Israel of denying medicine and food to Palestinians, but if Arabs can provide them with armaments and propaganda, why can they not supply food and medicine?
There must be an Arab recognition of the State of Israel, and acknowledgement that there has been a continuous Jewish presence in Israel for thousands of years. whereby they have just as much entitlement to the land. Why do Palestinians only ask for lands that Israel claims. Why not that which Egypt or Jordan has claimed?
Many accuse Israel of excessive force, but how it is wrong to use force against terrorism that comes through suicide bombers and Qassam rockets? The fact remains that the checkpoints and security fences have decreased terrorism in Israel exponentionally. Many criticize Israel for demolishing homes, but where is the disincentive for terrorist activities? Arabs nationals often provide economic subsidies to the family of suicide bombers. There must be a penalty. There are observant Jewish Zionists and anti-Zionists, but I believe Jewish law affirms Israel's position and claim to the land for a multitude of reasons. My only regret is that German Jews did not have the refuge of a Jewish state which could have prevented the massacre of many.
I support Palestinian statehood because they will formally be held accountable as an international actor. The details are the problem. I do not believe it will cease tension between Israel and its neighbors. There is no solution in which Israel will escape popular in the court of public opinion. Giving up Israel would not make us any more popular contrary to popular myth. There would be massive retaliation and pogroms, as well as oppressive dhimmi laws, and they would force Jews to desecrate the Sabbath.
(3) Waskow Opposes the Iraq War
There is little justification for the War in Iraq. I am grateful that Saddam Hussen has been brought to justice, but the ends do not justify the means. There remains little justification for invading Iraq under the Bush Administration's suspicions. However, America made a mess and must remain committed to clean it up, or until the Iraqi government requests our withdrawal. For those who argue AIPAC and the Jewish Lobby was behind the invasion, there is little support. The Iraq War has only destabilized Iraq and opened the Middle East up to Iranian hegemony, which is must more dangerous to Iraq. Jews are accused for Middle East problems. Jews are accused for 9/11. Jews are accused for corporate greed and neo-conservative politics. Jews are accused for high gas prices? Once again we are the favorite scapegoat for problems. Why is Waskow encouraging these conspiracy theories?
(4) Waskow Defended Cindy Sheehan
Cindy Sheehan is an undeniable anti-Semite who holds extreme views, and to support her only calls "Rabbi" Waskows own credibility into question. This is the woman who said Israel and Jews were responsible for her son's death. Why is a "rabbi" promoting anti-Semitism?
(5) Endorsement of Gay and Lesbian Marriages in Judaism
Advocating same-sex marriage in Judaism completely ignores the obligation for procreation, which can only be accomplished through a man and a woman. The marriage is known as kiddushin, or "sanctification," but how is something forbidden in the Torah and Talmud, considered sanctified or holy by a "rabbi"?
"Rabbi" Waskow engages in heresy by selectively choosing that from the Hebrew Bible to apply that makes it acceptable for modern secular norms. This is not biblical scholarship, it is a religion of convenience.
There is no problem with advocating against discrimination against homosexuals in such areas as employment and housing, but this is a matter of civil rights. An outright endorsement of Jewish same-sex marriage is a completely different matter that contravenes the Torah, the book for which "rabbis" like Waskow claim their authority derives from.
Why is it that we have a public institution whose mission should be academic freedom and free discourse suppressing opposing points of view in sponsoring presenters? Why are round-table discussions, presenting opposing views, not permitted? Heavens forbid if we express a point of view that deviates from the Communist Manifesto.
Why is a conservative viewpoint considered un-academic by the faculty, but hosting speakers who suggest legitimacy for conspiracies theory are considered academic and credible? It really is a joke, but no one is laughing.
We have professors who publicly ridicule students' religious and political beliefs in classes and on their essays. This is academic freedom, advanced society, and the liberalism they extol? You have freedom of speech all right. If you share their opinion. Apparently academic freedom only applies to faculty, not to students.
We have Department Chairman Gerald Beller who screams about providing terrorists legal immunities, but he is not even willing to give his students opportunity to present an opposing view. Misplaced priorities in academia. It is no surprise that my papers and essays have always received better scores when I shared Dr. Beller's opinions. Why should I have to censor my genuine thoughts? He teaches John Mill's "On Liberty" but he ignored its virtues as a basis for free thought. Okay, don't practice what you teach. Dr. Smith tells me if I want a conservative viewpoint, I can go to the University of Charleston. This is real good for recruitment and retention, right? I don't want a liberal or conservative viewpoint, I want balanced presentation and true discourse which promotes critical thinking. Liberal academics are hypocrites. It's not "liberalism" but authoritarian liberalism which is somewhat of an oxymoron.
Look for Waskow's lecture in October.
A tradtional/conservative Jew, Moore is a WVSU Senior and former SGA President
They brought you anti-Zionist ex-Marine Maj. Scott Ritter. They brought you anti-Semitic ex-CIA agent Ray McGovern, on Holocaust Memorial Day nonetheless. Now due to pressure of anti-Jewish bias, the West Virginia State University Political Science Department in collaboration with Seneca 2 features "Rabbi" Arthur Waskow to illustrate they are good sports.
Arthur Waskow is famed in liberal Jewish circles as a post-modern and progressive rabbi, whatever that term means. His credentials and his smicha (ordination) are questionable at best considering he is not affiliated with any recognized institution that can confer such an honor, but received it by a private bet din (rabbinical court) of a Jewish feminist, a Conservative rabbi, and a Reform rabbi. Did he have yeshiva or seminary training? This part of his biography is unclear.
Some of "Rabbi" Waskow's teachings:
(1) Waskow Teaches Marxism from Jewish Prophetic Scriptures
The Hebrew Bible is a proponent of economic justice for the poor which is an obligation of every person, even the poor, to give. There is no Hebrew word for charity, its equivalent is tzedekah, or "justice." It is the poor's right to receive, and the affluent's obligation to give. This is a societal expectation of giving charity, but the Bible falls short of overtly advocating Marxist ideology and redistributive justice.
The Bible discusses free market and contracts. Does the Bible not equally support capitalism? It is futile to use selective imagery in the Bible to peddle a political ideology. The Ethics of the Fathers (Pirkei Avot) in the Talmud states, "The Torah should not be used as a spade with which to dig." It is trivial to contend that the Bible endorses or favors either capitalism or marxism, or any given secular political ideology. You can draw from biblical narratives any symbols are messages one desires to see in them by selecting verses. This is also prohibited: "You shall not add or subtract from the Torah."
(2) Waskow is a Critic of Israeli policies in Gaza and West Bank
It is our obligation to hold every state accountable for its actions, and we should be critical of Israel. Many of the actions that Israel has taken regarding Palestinians is based upon national security measures.
We must recall that Israel was provided statehood based upon the international recognition of the 1947 partition plan. This provided for a two-state solution for both Israel and Palestine. Rather than accepting a two-state solution, the Arab League composed of five armies attacked Israel whose secretary called for them to "Murder the Jews."
Many assert Israel has no right to the land, but Jordan was created through the same process a few years earlier setting the precedent for the establishment of Medinat Yisrael.
A double standard is often placed on Israel. Palestinians have rights in Israel. If Palestinians move to Iran or Jordan, they are often not even provided citizenship. This serves as a deterrent for Palestinians to "give up" in Israel. Arab states do not care about Palestinian "victims," they want to challenge the existence of Israel. By deterring immigration into other Arab states, it perpetuates the controversy and continues to demonize Israel. Jews cannot travel freely in Iran, but international human rights groups do not consider this a human rights abuse. Jews cannot be granted citizenship in Jordan, and they cannot own land, but this is not a human rights abuse?
We talk about Palestinian refugees, but what about the Jewish refugees that were expelled from Arab countries with their wealth confiscated by those governments? Where is the international outcry?
Many accuse Israel of denying medicine and food to Palestinians, but if Arabs can provide them with armaments and propaganda, why can they not supply food and medicine?
There must be an Arab recognition of the State of Israel, and acknowledgement that there has been a continuous Jewish presence in Israel for thousands of years. whereby they have just as much entitlement to the land. Why do Palestinians only ask for lands that Israel claims. Why not that which Egypt or Jordan has claimed?
Many accuse Israel of excessive force, but how it is wrong to use force against terrorism that comes through suicide bombers and Qassam rockets? The fact remains that the checkpoints and security fences have decreased terrorism in Israel exponentionally. Many criticize Israel for demolishing homes, but where is the disincentive for terrorist activities? Arabs nationals often provide economic subsidies to the family of suicide bombers. There must be a penalty. There are observant Jewish Zionists and anti-Zionists, but I believe Jewish law affirms Israel's position and claim to the land for a multitude of reasons. My only regret is that German Jews did not have the refuge of a Jewish state which could have prevented the massacre of many.
I support Palestinian statehood because they will formally be held accountable as an international actor. The details are the problem. I do not believe it will cease tension between Israel and its neighbors. There is no solution in which Israel will escape popular in the court of public opinion. Giving up Israel would not make us any more popular contrary to popular myth. There would be massive retaliation and pogroms, as well as oppressive dhimmi laws, and they would force Jews to desecrate the Sabbath.
(3) Waskow Opposes the Iraq War
There is little justification for the War in Iraq. I am grateful that Saddam Hussen has been brought to justice, but the ends do not justify the means. There remains little justification for invading Iraq under the Bush Administration's suspicions. However, America made a mess and must remain committed to clean it up, or until the Iraqi government requests our withdrawal. For those who argue AIPAC and the Jewish Lobby was behind the invasion, there is little support. The Iraq War has only destabilized Iraq and opened the Middle East up to Iranian hegemony, which is must more dangerous to Iraq. Jews are accused for Middle East problems. Jews are accused for 9/11. Jews are accused for corporate greed and neo-conservative politics. Jews are accused for high gas prices? Once again we are the favorite scapegoat for problems. Why is Waskow encouraging these conspiracy theories?
(4) Waskow Defended Cindy Sheehan
Cindy Sheehan is an undeniable anti-Semite who holds extreme views, and to support her only calls "Rabbi" Waskows own credibility into question. This is the woman who said Israel and Jews were responsible for her son's death. Why is a "rabbi" promoting anti-Semitism?
(5) Endorsement of Gay and Lesbian Marriages in Judaism
Advocating same-sex marriage in Judaism completely ignores the obligation for procreation, which can only be accomplished through a man and a woman. The marriage is known as kiddushin, or "sanctification," but how is something forbidden in the Torah and Talmud, considered sanctified or holy by a "rabbi"?
"Rabbi" Waskow engages in heresy by selectively choosing that from the Hebrew Bible to apply that makes it acceptable for modern secular norms. This is not biblical scholarship, it is a religion of convenience.
There is no problem with advocating against discrimination against homosexuals in such areas as employment and housing, but this is a matter of civil rights. An outright endorsement of Jewish same-sex marriage is a completely different matter that contravenes the Torah, the book for which "rabbis" like Waskow claim their authority derives from.
Why is it that we have a public institution whose mission should be academic freedom and free discourse suppressing opposing points of view in sponsoring presenters? Why are round-table discussions, presenting opposing views, not permitted? Heavens forbid if we express a point of view that deviates from the Communist Manifesto.
Why is a conservative viewpoint considered un-academic by the faculty, but hosting speakers who suggest legitimacy for conspiracies theory are considered academic and credible? It really is a joke, but no one is laughing.
We have professors who publicly ridicule students' religious and political beliefs in classes and on their essays. This is academic freedom, advanced society, and the liberalism they extol? You have freedom of speech all right. If you share their opinion. Apparently academic freedom only applies to faculty, not to students.
We have Department Chairman Gerald Beller who screams about providing terrorists legal immunities, but he is not even willing to give his students opportunity to present an opposing view. Misplaced priorities in academia. It is no surprise that my papers and essays have always received better scores when I shared Dr. Beller's opinions. Why should I have to censor my genuine thoughts? He teaches John Mill's "On Liberty" but he ignored its virtues as a basis for free thought. Okay, don't practice what you teach. Dr. Smith tells me if I want a conservative viewpoint, I can go to the University of Charleston. This is real good for recruitment and retention, right? I don't want a liberal or conservative viewpoint, I want balanced presentation and true discourse which promotes critical thinking. Liberal academics are hypocrites. It's not "liberalism" but authoritarian liberalism which is somewhat of an oxymoron.
Look for Waskow's lecture in October.
A tradtional/conservative Jew, Moore is a WVSU Senior and former SGA President
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