The “Progressive” Culture?

There are many institutions, universities and charitable organizations that proclaim themselves to be “progressive” or “modern”. They assert that they vehemently believe in and epitomize a philosophy that unwaveringly supports the spreading of mercy and kindness throughout the world. And, yet, these same “champions of justice and equality” are quick to dismiss and justify the acts of murderers and terrorists. Worse, they defend and try to protect them. 
 

The reason is simple: their desire to promote equality and social justice is self-serving and insincere. Their motivations are selfish. Their efforts are for self-gratification and glorification. For example, they may want to be celebrated by others, satisfying the drive of their egos. They want to receive accolades for their efforts. Or, they want to be respected as humanitarians. All they care about is their own self-promotion. Therefore, when they can gain even more respect and glory by abandoning the values of kindness and generosity, they are more than willing to do so even if it means supporting causes that logically are opposed to these values. 
 

In these moments we see the truth; we see how the secular world values social justice and equal rights. Their morals are on full display. 
 

The Yetzer Harah is powerful. It knows that Yidden are, by nature, generous, kind and merciful. And, it looks to feed and misdirect those emotions by convincing you that the non-Jews are seeking justice, are fighting for equal rights, and are also concerned about the welfare of others. The Yetzer Harah wants you to admire these organizations and universities. He wants the Yidden to get involved in these causes misdirecting their benevolence. Thereby, distracting the Yidden from studying Torah and keeping mitzvot. But, in the end, the truth will be shown. 

A Bloody History 

Roughly 200 years ago, there was a period of rapid advances in science and technology. The world thought that these advances would usher in an era of world peace, democracy, and freedom; a time of global understanding and prosperity for all peoples in all places. Murder, conflict, and war would be eradicated permanently. 
 

However, the exact opposite was true. The 20th century saw murder, destruction, societal collapse, and wars on an unparalleled level. And the Germans, who were one of the world’s most civilized and advanced societies, showed that they could behave just like the cruelest animals. 
 

Hitler, may his name be erased, fashioned himself as trying to teach people how to behave properly. Stalin, may his name be erased, claimed that the spread of Communism would make the world a better place. Yet, their seemingly “altruistic” motivations lead to a war that wreaked havoc on the world and the slaughter of millions of people. The world had not yet witnessed such cruelty in all of its history. 
 

During the Holocaust, the Hungarian Jewish community tried to raise funds for the Rescue Committee responsible for trying to save the Yidden in Poland, which had already fallen to the Germans. R’ Aharon of Belz, zt”l, issued the following Halachic ruling: Even though Chazal taught (Gittin 45a) captives are only redeemed for their value, that was when capacity was not so inhuman. However, in the 20th century, the treatment of captives and the mechanisms for mass slaughter have reached a level of cruelty never seen. Now, there is an obligation to redeem captives at all costs. 

True Compassion 

The Yidden are never cruel. True mercy and compassion are naturally ingrained in their hearts. As Chazal taught (Yerushalmi Gitin 42b) that at Har Sinai Hashem provided the tremendous gifts that all of the Jews would always be compassionate. 
 

The Klausenberger Rebbe, zt”l, who witnessed firsthand the brutality of the Germans, shared a beautiful insight. During the Al HaNisim prayer we say during Chanukah, it says, ואתה ברחמיך הרבים עמדת להם בעת צרתם- “You, with Your abundant mercy, stood by them in their time of distress“… When the Yidden rose to wage war against the Greeks, there was a tremendous accusation in the Heavenly Courts against the Yidden, claiming that they were not worthy of a victory. Many of the Jews had assimilated and adopted a Hellenistic lifestyle, forgetting Torah and mitzvot. However, Hashem saw the attribute of compassion that He has instilled in the Jews. And, this “stood by them in their time of distress.” This compassion stood as an undeniable and inescapable differentiator between the Jews and the Greeks. 
 

No matter how distant the Jews had become from the righteous path, regardless of how they tried to live their lives like the Greeks, they were still compassionate people that were the offspring of a compassionate people. A true compassion that was a gift from Hashem. A compassion that ensured that no matter how much they assimilated, real Jews could never behave with even an iota of the Greeks’ cruelty. 
 

War According to Torah Values 

If this is true of any random Jew, even more so, a Yid who studies Torah and learns what a truly refined character means. For, Torah is the source of understanding how to define and express good middot. 
 

Even many benevolent laws of some non-Jewish nations trace their roots back to Torah values. Such laws did not exist prior to the receiving of the Torah. 
 

This mercy even finds its expression in the way Yidden go to war. Typically, war brings rage and violence. The Ramban explains (Devarim 23:10) that this is why there is an added warning for soldiers to “guard yourself from anything evil.” However, as the Or HaChaim (Devarim 13:18) writes, when the Yidden go to war, they have the unique bracha of “and give yourself mercy.” 
 

The Torah is teaching us, that even when you have to go to war, you cannot be cruel. For example, you must first offer a peaceful resolution. And, when you besiege a city, you need to surround it from only three sides, leaving an escape path for all those who want to flee. 

In Hands of Those Who Study 

In Al HaNisim we praise Hashem for the victory of the war with the Greeks saying, זדים ביד עוסקי תורתך- “and insolent [sinners] into the hands of diligent students of Your Torah”… 
 

What is this adding to the miracle? 
 

The “advanced” Greeks were “insolent”. They enjoyed seeing bloodshed. They built stadiums and amphitheaters to watch captives fight for their lives against wild animals. They cheered as captives were slaughtered for sport. They didn’t really value human life. Therefore, they were merciless in war. They intentionally and indiscriminately murdered women and children. 
 

The Chasmona’im, on the other hand, were “diligent students of Your Torah.” They were the Yidden who studied the Torah and were careful to preserve their attribute of compassion. They were cautious during war to only kill those who fought against them. 
 

This was an aspect of the miracle. Even though the war was made more challenging because it was waged by those “engrossed in Torah study” who were more meticulous to exert mercy and compassion. They, nevertheless, were victorious. 
 

Therefore, Al HaNisim continues and says, ולך עשית שם גדול וקדוש בעולמך- “And You made Yourself a great and sanctified name in Your world”… The war was a tremendous Kiddush Hashem in the world. The entire world witnessed the refined character, the attributes that truly differentiated the Jews who were students of the Torah, as distinctly different from the Greeks. 
 

As a result, the Jews no longer admired Greek culture. They didn’t want to study in the Greek universities any more and be a part of Greek society. They recommitted themselves anew to Torah, so that they could acquire true good values that permeate and are reflected in their character, and brings a real good life in This World and in the World to Come. 

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The Kalever Rebbe is the seventh Rebbe of the Kaalov Chasidic dynasty, begun by his ancestor who was born to his previously childless parents after receiving a blessing from the Baal Shem Tov zy”a, and later learned under the Maggid of Mezeritch zt”l. The Rebbe has been involved in outreach for more than 30 years and writes weekly emails on understanding current issues through the Torah. Sign up at www.kaalov.org.