Shalem also uncovers evidence that indicates that some ultra-Orthodox youths actively participated in fighting in the revolt. The most prominent of them was Rabbi Alexander Zemelman, who was an Agudat Yisrael Youth leader in Poland before the war. Most of these ultra-Orthodox fighters joined the ranks of the Jewish Fighting Union (JFU), Betar's militant wing. The JFU received little recognition of its own, after the war. Thus, the names of the ultra-Orthodox fighters were also forgotten.
Shalem cites the general disorder of JFU rosters to explain the absence of ultra-Orthodox names among those who took part in the revolt. "The Jewish Fighting Organization [the larger and more famous organization led by Mordecai Anielewicz] maintained lists, but anyone who did not arrive as a representative of an organized movement, or did not carry a weapon, was not included in the list, and even their lists were censored on the way to Israel."
Arguments arose within Agudat Yisrael regarding the mention of the participation of these individuals in the revolt. Mintz was very proud of them and several articles in the ultra-Orthodox press highlighted their participation and criticized the lack of recognition of their role. Other "Aguda" figures, like Rabbi Moshe Blau, preferred to portray them as individuals who departed from the ultra-Orthodox path. Blau's approach finally prevailed: After the Holocaust, the ultra-Orthodox community emphasized the spiritual courage of those who continued to observe mitzvot (Jewish commandments) and ignored those who supported or participated in the revolt.
Heaven forbid. Jews need saints, not fighters. Unless you're stoning another Jew for driving on Shabbat.
No comments:
Post a Comment