| )A Message from Jewish Mob Moms We all know the benefit of distancing ourselves from bad influences, especially those who seek to detach us from our Jewish identity. Here are two examples of people who intend to lead Jews astray. The first is of the false prophet. If there should stand a prophet or dreamer who will produce a sign or a wonder saying, ‘let us follow gods of other folk,’ do not hearken to him. (Deuteronomy 13:2). Then we are exhorted to keep our dedication and are told how to deal with a false prophet. Finally, we come to the topic of a family member. If your brother, son of your mother, or your son or daughter or your wife or a friend who is like your soul, secretly entices you saying let us worship other gods, those that you or your forefathers did not know. (ibid. v. 7) At this point the Torah does more than simply warn us not to follow the would-be influencer, it reiterates the admonition with no less than five different expressions. You shall not accede to him; you shall not hearken to him; your eye shall not take pity on him; you shall not be compassionate toward him; you shall not conceal him. (ibid. v. 9)When it refers to our own misdoings, we are told don’t follow your heart and when we are told not to listen to a false prophet the Torah simply says, do not listen. Yet when referring to a family member that might lead you astray, the Torah gives five variations on a theme of disregard. Here’s the question: aren’t we at a bigger risk of going astray when our own passions pull us in the wrong direction than we are by the suggestion of a relative? Why are there more and stronger admonitions for the enticement suggested by a relative? Even the case of the charlatan who claims to be a prophet and even conjures up acts that look like miracles isn’t given as much airtime as the five expressions used for a relative. Here’s what is says about the false prophet, do not listen to him for God is testing you BUT THERE IS NO TALK OF MERCY, COMPASSION OR CONCEALMENT (as there is when the Torah talks about kin). Why?Robert A. Rockaway, a historian at Tel Aviv university, wrote a book about Jewish gangsters.He interviewed notorious old-time Jewish mobsters, their families and friends. Being a native of Detroit, a town with many old-time mob ties, he actually interviewed his own mother who knew some of the notorious families that he was writing about. When discussing some of the appalling deeds of one of the local thugs, his mother stopped him abruptly. “That all may be true, but he was good to his mother!” The Torah understands the intimate affinity our people have towards relatives.It only needs one or two words of warning for us not to listen to the false prophet who comes with miraculous signs and mesmerizing oratory and therefore tells us merely “don’t listen to him.” Even when discussing our own desires and infatuations it simply warns us, “do not turn after your heart.” However, when referring to kin, brothers, sisters and relatives, the Torah has a difficult mission. We tend to excuse wrongdoing, cover up for misdeeds, and be in denial when it comes to our loved ones — even the results may be terribly destructive. There are countless stories of parents who did not have the heart to restrict their children’s late-night activities. Too many tales are told of the man who was ensnared by his brother-in-law’s misdoing because he had not the heart to refuse his overtures to evil. The Torah expresses its warning in five different ways. You must love your kin to a point, but way before the point of no return. Good Shabbos (Sources: But — He was Good To His Mother, The Lives and Crimes of Jewish Gangsters, by Robert A. Rockaway, 1993 Gefen Publishing Ltd. sourced by Rabbi Mordechei Kamenetzky) |
