To be sure, we Jews have not had a perfect past as our detractors will point out. But our mainstream spiritual leadership does not sanction the mistreatment of others: quite the contrary, our text says, Exodus 22:20. You shall not wrong a stranger, nor oppress him; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
As cartoongate with Moslem communities continues to unfold, I heard a newspaper executive say, "Yes, it is news, but I won't publish it because I fear for my life."
Out of some stilted need for revenge, a variety of newspapers, especially in the Arab world, continue to publish cartoons that use anti-Semitic caricatures, advocate for holocaust denial and promote atrocities against others.
A great deal of credit is due to the Danish government whose spokesman have said that Denmark has a free press and the cartoons do not reflect a government position.
The challenge we face is that somehow, despite what others are doing, we resist both the impulses either for revenge or to be intimidated. Passover reminds us again and again of the importance of freedom and the world around us clearly points out that freedom is never free.
From Karen and me, best wishes for a happy Passover.
Joshua L. Segal
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