Jewish Canadians love Prime Minister Stephen Harper; the
surest way to earn an ovation at a Jewish event is to thank the Prime Minister
for his support for the State of Israel. We are glad to live in a democracy
that endorses our freedom of religion, and we certainly take advantage of
the rest of the freedoms guaranteed by our laws, overseen by our government,
and safeguarded by our military...
...so why are November's poppies, marking Tuesday's Remembrance Day, relatively uncommon in the observant Jewish community?
As I've written elsewhere, it seems to me that overt patriotism is somewhat “un-cool” in Torah-observant communities, in Canada and beyond. Perhaps this is a product of centuries of harm wreaked by a range of governments upon our people. Maybe it's due to Jewish law's insistence that the Jews should be "other" when living among non-Jewish neighbours. Or, it could be because of the way that those neighbours have marked us as "other" in painful ways.
Despite all of the reasons why Jews may be uncomfortable with patriotic expression, I believe that Canadian Jews ought to clearly, publicly express our gratitude for those who have given their lives in the Canadian military. Whatever the misgivings of Pirkei Avot (1:10, 2:3 and 3:2) regarding government and its intentions, we owe a great debt to Canada's soldiers, for their historic roles and for their current actions. I believe we ought to wear the poppy.
Within the realm of halachah, I have heard the contention that wearing a poppy may run afoul of the law of chukot akum, prohibiting dressing "in the manner of the nations", but a read of the relevant sources (Sifri Devarim 81, Maharik 88, Shulchan Aruch and Rama Yoreh Deah 178:1) makes clear that the prohibition applies only to (1) immoral dress and (2) dress worn for reasons which might trace back to idolatrous practices. Neither appears relevant in this case.
I wouldn't wear the poppy in shul for davening, because it would be a distraction for me. I also wouldn't insert it on Shabbat, because of concern for the laws of "stitching" involved in pinning the poppy. But for other times, I will wear my poppy in memory of the fallen. Hakarat hatov (gratitude) and darchei shalom (maintaining a peaceful society) trump being cool...
...so why are November's poppies, marking Tuesday's Remembrance Day, relatively uncommon in the observant Jewish community?
As I've written elsewhere, it seems to me that overt patriotism is somewhat “un-cool” in Torah-observant communities, in Canada and beyond. Perhaps this is a product of centuries of harm wreaked by a range of governments upon our people. Maybe it's due to Jewish law's insistence that the Jews should be "other" when living among non-Jewish neighbours. Or, it could be because of the way that those neighbours have marked us as "other" in painful ways.
Despite all of the reasons why Jews may be uncomfortable with patriotic expression, I believe that Canadian Jews ought to clearly, publicly express our gratitude for those who have given their lives in the Canadian military. Whatever the misgivings of Pirkei Avot (1:10, 2:3 and 3:2) regarding government and its intentions, we owe a great debt to Canada's soldiers, for their historic roles and for their current actions. I believe we ought to wear the poppy.
Within the realm of halachah, I have heard the contention that wearing a poppy may run afoul of the law of chukot akum, prohibiting dressing "in the manner of the nations", but a read of the relevant sources (Sifri Devarim 81, Maharik 88, Shulchan Aruch and Rama Yoreh Deah 178:1) makes clear that the prohibition applies only to (1) immoral dress and (2) dress worn for reasons which might trace back to idolatrous practices. Neither appears relevant in this case.
I wouldn't wear the poppy in shul for davening, because it would be a distraction for me. I also wouldn't insert it on Shabbat, because of concern for the laws of "stitching" involved in pinning the poppy. But for other times, I will wear my poppy in memory of the fallen. Hakarat hatov (gratitude) and darchei shalom (maintaining a peaceful society) trump being cool...
Very interesting. Here in my shul in the UK, a lot of people wear poppies at this time of year. However the British United Synagogue, although centrist Orthodox in outlook is, if you'll pardon the expression, a broad church: some people who are shomer mitzvot, but also lots of people who are more socially Orthodox. Perhaps this explains the difference.
ReplyDeleteIt may also make a difference that I go to a shul with an ageing population and we still have a number of congregants who served in World War II.
Canada today is a malchus shel chesed and we should be grateful for its support for our community and Israel.
ReplyDeleteHowever, Remembrance Day is strongly associated with the World Wars and during World War II Canada had signs on its beaches that said "No Jews or dogs allowed" and said "None is too many" when it came to helping Jewish refugees.
So yes, we should be grateful for what Canada is for us today but not forget the past either.
To me, the anti-Semitism of Canada does not negate the deeds of the Canadian soldiers who liberated Bergen-Belsen...
DeleteOn a very related note, what do you think of Movember? Is that chukos hagoyim? Also I feel like there is just an element of laytzanus in it even if it is no way "goyish". On the other hand one an argue t creates an awareness for an important cause.
ReplyDeleteWhy should Movember be chukos akum? And as far as leitzanus - I'm not clear on the leitzanus involved in growing a mustache?
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