samet@sfmag.UUCP (A.I.Samet) (05/01/85)
In debating the President's visit to Bitburg, contributors have pointed out various distinctions between condemning indiviudals, their actions, and the actions and policies of their society. There is a tension between uprooting evil which is embedded in a society and the virtues of tolerance and understanding. Our society has a strong tradition of liberalism which leads many to "turn the other cheek" when dealing with criminals, nazis, or enemies. Others see this as suicidal. Similar issues are raised in the Torah context. It's not clear to me how to relate them to the Bitburg controversy but they should offer us some food for thought: AMALEK The Torah commands us to wipe out the nation of Amalek including the women children, and cattle. We are also commanded to remember what they did to us (how they attacked us) and we are forbidden to forget this. Shaul Hamelech was dethroned because he had mercy on their cattle and failed to kill Amalek's king. Amalek represents the most extreme incarnation of our arch enemy. In relating to them, it appears that we are commanded to regard them as a body which is so incarnated with evil that we are to ignore any arguments for distinguishing between individuals. A SEDUCER TO IDOLATRY The Torah commands us to try and execute a "maisis" (seducer to idolatry). Furthermore, we are forbidden to raise redeeming virtues in defense of such a person. A CORRUPT CITY (IR HANIDACHAS) This is a city of Jews which has totally succumbed to idolatry. We are commanded to destroy the entire city and all its inhabitants. THE SEVEN NATIONS The Torah commanded us to wipe out the seven idolatrous nations which inhabited Canaan when we first entered the promised land. Here, if I'm not mistaken, individuals can save themselves by becoming gerei toshav, which basically entails accepting upon themselves the yoke of the seven mitzvas which are obligatory on Bnai Noach (descendants of Noah, i.e., all goyim). ACHAN In the book of Yehoshua, the entire Jewish nation is condemned as robbers. What happened was that in conquering a certain city, we were forbidden to take any spoil. One person (Achan) violated this and the entire nation was held responsible. Commentators explain that this single incident could not have occurred if there were a strong enough moral consciousness against such actions in the nation. The harshly worded condemnation against the entire community was the result of this lack of sensitivity. Yitzchok Samet