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Kedoshim: The Holy Nation and the Dangers of Racism
Food for thought.
Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman
The harm and suffering that racism and its offshoots have inflicted upon humanity throughout the course of history is deeply felt in its anguish, wide-ranging in its impact, and egregiously pernicious in its multifaceted assault on dignity, justice, and life itself. As such, rejection of racism should be visceral, intuitive, and essential to decency; no explanation would seem to be necessary.
Nonetheless, we gain from examining, rationally and intellectually, the basis for this rejection. Such attention is vital to effectively combat the most damaging elements at their foundation, while placing in context the varying nuances, as well as separating out less founded allegations that cloud the landscape of contemporary discourse.
Fortunately, the corpus of Jewish law and philosophy provide valuable tools and crucial insight to this analysis. At the outset, it is important to note that “Racism” is a composite term, applied in multiple contexts and in varying degrees, encompassing many actions and attitudes. These components are most effectively discussed individually.
First Component of Racism – Disparaging Speech about Groups:
The extensive legal, philosophical, and moralistic literature surrounding the prohibition of lashon hara (derogatory speech) – a transgression marked by extraordinary condemnation in Jewish tradition – provides a framework for a value system of speech that transcends the technicalities of its many details. As such, it furnishes insight into one element of racism, disparaging speech about groups of people.
The harm and suffering that racism and its offshoots have inflicted upon humanity throughout the course of history is deeply felt in its anguish, wide-ranging in its impact, and egregiously pernicious in its multifaceted assault on dignity, justice, and life itself. As such, rejection of racism should be visceral, intuitive, and essential to decency; no explanation would seem to be necessary.
Nonetheless, we gain from examining, rationally and intellectually, the basis for this rejection. Such attention is vital to effectively combat the most damaging elements at their foundation, while placing in context the varying nuances, as well as separating out less founded allegations that cloud the landscape of contemporary discourse.
Fortunately, the corpus of Jewish law and philosophy provide valuable tools and crucial insight to this analysis. At the outset, it is important to note that “Racism” is a composite term, applied in multiple contexts and in varying degrees, encompassing many actions and attitudes. These components are most effectively discussed individually.
First Component of Racism – Disparaging Speech about Groups:
The extensive legal, philosophical, and moralistic literature surrounding the prohibition of lashon hara (derogatory speech) – a transgression marked by extraordinary condemnation in Jewish tradition – provides a framework for a value system of speech that transcends the technicalities of its many details. As such, it furnishes insight into one element of racism, disparaging speech about groups of people.
https://riets.substack.com/p/kedoshim-the-holy-nation-and-the