Confronting the problem of racism

CHIEF RABBI WARREN GOLDSTEIN

As a community, we need to confront the problem of racism. We, like all South Africans, are not immune to it. We must face up to this challenge.

It is our sacred duty – not only because of the values of the South African Constitution and its Bill of Rights which create a vision for a society of equality and dignity for all, but also, and primarily, because the Torah teaches us about that evil of racism in terms of our Torah values.

Long before it was politically correct, the Torah showed us the way in understanding the immorality of racism. G-d chose to create all of humankind from one man and one woman, even though other species of plant and animal life were created en masse.

The Talmud teaches that the reason for this was to eradicate racism from the world: ensuring human beings were descended from one man and one woman made us all brothers and sisters for each other.

Our Torah teachings declare the evil of racism, as the Mishna says: “Beloved is the human being created in the image of G-d”, which means that every human being has a soul from G-d, which reflects in some way the awesomeness and greatness of the Creator Himself.

And so, it behoves each of us to treat every human being with great care and respect, regardless of race, colour, creed or gender, and regardless of their station in life. These Torah values have been part of Jewish consciousness for generations, which may explain why Jews were disproportionately involved with the forefront of the struggle against apartheid, in every way possible.

Our rejection of racism needs to find practical application in our daily lives. It reflects in the way that we interact with all of our fellow South Africans. It reflects in simple yet profound things, like greeting people we encounter, as the Mishna says: “Initiate the greeting to every person.”

It reflects in the way we deal with our employers and employees, with our work colleagues. And it also reflects in how we speak in our families and among ourselves about people from other races. It is beyond the pale to use any derogatory word in reference to another race or culture. To do so is to betray our Jewish values.

Our rejection of racism must also reflect in how we engage with South Africans from all races who have converted to Judaism and have joined our community. We must welcome them with open arms; we are one family.

Let’s make this practical by inviting them for Shabbos and Yomtov, engaging warmly at shul, sharing schools lifts, and generally make them feel welcome in every way. We must appreciate their incredible sacrifices and devotion to the Torah that has brought them to voluntarily choose our way of life.

In many passages the Torah reminds us that we were strangers in the land of Egypt and, therefore, to remember what it means to be a stranger and what it means to be the subject of the prejudice and racism of others. The Torah calls on us to engage with kindness and sensitivity to all people.

We can and must be a model community in South Africa, a beacon of light for how to treat every human being with dignity and respect.