An Open Letter to Rabbis Who Write Open Letters

Recently, a group of 80 Orthodox rabbis wrote a letter, which in part was critical of Israel. At the same time, the world saw an Israeli hostage, Evyatar David, looking sickeningly emaciated, and being forced to dig his own grave.

While there has been some criticism for the recent letter by the rabbis and other letters already written, I’m interested in one yet to be written.

Why not have every rabbi possible sign a letter calling on Hamas to release the hostages? It should have happened on October 8, 2023. In addition, there are “experts” who know nothing — yet talk about what will or will not make the hostages safer, or Jews safer in America and across the world.

Fools like to propagandize that if only Jews did this or that, the world would love us and Jews would have an easier time. That requires ignorance of history.

The world is more interconnected today and a letter by all rabbis would have power in unity. Would it cause Hamas to release the hostages? Likely not, but nothing will, short of Hamas knowing that action is the only way to survive. Hamas has little reason to release the hostages with many media outlets and podcasts barely mentioning the terrorist group, while heaping all of the blame on Israel. This is nothing new.

I understand people who say in matters of life and death, letters are pointless. But we are dealing with a hellish situation. Jews are not a monolith and rightfully have differing views, critiques, and concerns. Sure, some things are symbolic, but that doesn’t mean they are meaningless.

I don’t know how many rabbis there are in the world, but imagine if every one, or at least most, could sign a letter calling for Hamas to release the hostages. A big problem that few seem to care about is that hostage taking is now a new blueprint — because it works. This letter should call that out.

There are things that are difficult, like fighting on the front lines, or debating people online. Writing a letter is easy, and one that calls for the release of the hostages is not controversial.

If rabbis want to write a different letter addressing other concerns, including displeasure at a possible continuation of the war, that’s fine. But what is the excuse for not writing a letter demanding Hamas release the hostages? Let the world see that a nation attacked in every generation will fight back not only with the sword, but with the pen.

We know there is a double standard for Israel and Jews. It should be a single standard to write a letter against the terrorist group. Hamas’ first battle was on October 7, but the second battle was how they are turning Israel into a pariah state, turning the world against Jews, and Jews against each other.

I don’t agree that the pen is mightier than the sword, as the famous saying goes. But many have been lucky enough to avoid fighting on the battlefield. If one is to be a teacher and is not willing to at least fight by writing, that person needs to step on a scale.

The author is a writer based in New York.