chassid

Chasidic Jews join Palestinian supporters in their A20 march for freedom and safety for the Palestinian people

April 20, 2002
Washington, DC

Symbolism Runs Rampant on the Streets of DC
by Britt Hodgdon

A diverse group of people met this morning in front of the DC Hilton to march in a loudly voiced outcry against the senseless and wrongful murders of Palestinian people in their occupied homelands by Israel’s military under the hand of Ariel Sharon. The massacre of innocent civilians has recently begun to surface as internationals begin to speak out against the corporate media’s false proclamations of the situation, as well as emerging through the quiet reports of several aid organizations that have finally spoken out against Sharon’s horrifying warcrimes. The illegal occupation of Palestinian homelands has been marked by indescribable cruelty and violence that has often been blamed on religious differences or some kind of spiritual hierarchy, but actions like the one that filled the streets of D.C. today are living proof that not all have been blinded by mere abstractions. Instead, many are relying on hard evidence and moral aptitude to influence their political and social beliefs.
Amongst those in the crowd today was a group of Chassidic Jewish men, a title that signifies an orthodoxy and purity in their spiritual practices. Chassidism refers to the sense of one striving for an absolute level of observance to Judaism and goodness with the ulitmate goal of building a society in which Moshiach(the Messiah) will return. Making the journey from Montreal and Israel, the men joined the Palestinian Supporters in solidarity from Montreal and Israel as representatives of their communities to spread the word that “as long as the Jews act as oppressors, Moshiach will not come.” As today was Saturday and therefore the Sabbath, the men, in acccordance with their religious practices, could not drive to the protest and left on foot at 6:30 am to walk the five or six miles to the meeting point at the Hilton, weighed down by their heavy traditional clothing. In observance of the Sabbath, the men were not permitted to carry anything and spent their day without the much coveted water and food that the rest were free to enjoy.
Prior to the convergence of the many groups marching today, an opposing group aggresively approached the Chassidic men chanting “death to all Jews” but the group of Palestinian supporters was quick to move in, encircling them in safety. While there was no real escalation to the situation, the speed at which the marchers stepped up to protect these men was moving and symbolic. At that moment, the participation of everyone involved served as a powerful sign that peace is not only necessary but something real and attainable, a physical reminder that humanity must create its own sense of well-being instead of waiting for it to be granted. The safety of every single person, regardless of ethnicity or religion, deserves equal attention and respect, all hit home for everyone around. Maybe this is why we show up; it is that sense that these goals we possess in our minds are not only reachable but the skills to make them happen right in front of our eyes are within us always, just as powerfully as we might of hoped…

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What the Chassidm had to say
by Doc Rosen 9:32pm Tue Apr 23 ’02

drdrdoc@dr.com

I was in DC in my usual role as part of the StreetMedic teams. Throughout the 4 days of actions I spoke with the group of Chassidm repeatedly. These Ultra Orthodox Jews were at almost evey action. (They missed both the Critical Mass and the Columbia/SOA actions) Their opposition to the Occupation springs purely from their deep seated religious practice and belief. As is true of all observant Jews the focus of their practice is to bring about the time of Moshiach – that is the time when the messiah will come to redeem the world. To that end they spend hours daily in the study of Talmud and Torah and observe the 613 mitzvot or “commandments”. They say that – very simply stated – as long as the state of Israel pretends to speak in the name of all Jews and acts as an oppressor of the Palestinians Moshiach will not come. They call for reparations. They say the State of Israel must rebuild the State of Palestine with money and with sweat. Trees that have been uprooted must be replaced threefold and homes rebuilt. Settlements must be turned over to the Palestinians and they must have full access to Jeruselum.
In speaking to me they quoted both Hillel – “That which is hurtful to you do not do this to another. This is the sum of the Torah. The rest is commentary.” – and The Torah – “Justic, justice shall you pursue.” They pleaded passionately for an end to the occupation and a return to traditional Jewish values.

Doc Rosen