A call to Muslim faith leaders

In the Passover story, after the initial plague of blood, Moses and Aaron appeared before King Pharaoh and warned him about the imminent arrival of frogs in Egypt. The Torah states “and the frog arose and it covered the land of Egypt.” Notice “frog” appears here in the singular, although thereafter reference is made to “hatzefardeim” — the frogs.

Why initially was only one frog mentioned? It seems easy to explain! Surely this is a statement about the singular ‘phenomenon of the frog’ that came to Egypt. Yet our sages in the Talmud prefer to understand it literally. They say that originally there was indeed one single frog. Rabbi Akiva explains that this frog became the parent of millions of frogs, there was a process of rampant reproduction and the frogs that later covered the entire country were the result.

But Rabbi Elazar Ben Azariah turned to Rabbi Akiva saying “Surely that could not have been the case. Although I agree with you, that originally there was one single frog, it didn’t spawn the multitude of frogs that followed, rather, it croaked a mighty croak, which was heard by millions of frogs beneath the surface and who raised their heads and covered the land.”

Now you might be wondering what difference it makes to anyone if the plague started with one frog or many frogs. I believe that this machloket, this argument, between Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah was not actually about frogs, it was about something far deeper and more profound – the anti-Hebrew sentiment in Egypt. They were wondering, how it could have been possible that Joseph, a Hebrew, brought salvation to the entire Egyptian nation and then a new king arose who “knew not Joseph”. Whereas previously, people got on well with their Hebrew neighbours, befriended and included them, now the parents of children who once played with Hebrew children chose to enthusiastically follow the policies of Pharaoh who sought to drown fifty percent of Jewish children in the waters of the River Nile. How could this have happened so quickly?

Rabbi Akiva explains: It’s all because of one person – Pharoah. The power of his authority. The strength of his charisma. The talent of his oratory and the propaganda machine he created. Through these, very quickly, the mindset of a nation was changed. Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah said: Rabbi Akiva, people can be powerful and they can have influence but not to that extent! It must have started with something. Pharaoh knew that deep down, the Egyptians were closet anti-Hebrews but it wasn’t fashionable for them to express their true feelings in public. Pharaoh changed the national mood, he made it fashionable to hate the Hebrews and as a result, in an instant, the true colours of the Egyptians came to the fore.

It appears some [Muslim clerics] don’t want to be in a photo with a Jewish religious leader. And if that’s the case…okay. Let’s talk behind closed doors.

These events in Egypt unmistakably evoke the development of anti-Semitism in the European continent in the 20th century and for this reason, for our safety and security, we need to ask ourselves, who was right? Rabbi Akiva or Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah? I believe it is in our interests to take both of these views seriously.

In keeping with the view of Rabbi Akiva, there are some leaders who unashamedly make statements which are anti-Semitic. They have great influence over millions of followers. We need to stand up to them and we need to neutralize their voices. We also have to take the view of Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah seriously. There are some leaders who do not say much but they croak a mighty croak, they issue a hechsher — a stamp of approval — for anti-Semitism. By turning a blind eye, they allow those who were previously on the fringes to take their places on centre stage and, through their silence, they are equally responsible for the rapid spread of anti-Semitism in our midst.

This applies to political leaders, and it also applies to faith leaders. Since the Shoah, we in Jewish and Christian circles have been working very hard to improve our relationships and we have made great strides. Now I believe we have a responsibility to engage primarily in dialogue with our Muslim colleagues and as a national faith leader I prioritise Jewish-Muslim dialogue. That is tzav hasha’ah, the order of the hour.

There is a lot of room for gratification in terms of what we’ve achieved so far. I have many outstanding friends within the Muslim community — wonderful Muslim faith leaders, people who are willing to stand up and be counted and it’s not easy at all for them. However the truth is that our journey is a frustrating one because, that alas, is the exception to the rule. The rule today, around the world, is that the most influential Muslim faith leaders are keeping silent, they are not willing to publicly denounce anti-Semitism.

And so today I issue an invitation to Muslim faith leaders. Please speak out. Denounce anti-Semitism. Please come to speak with us. We are willing to be brave, to be courageous, to engage with you. Time and time again, when I have established efforts to engage at the highest levels, together with global Muslim clerics, at the last moment they have pulled out, they have got cold feet. It appears some of them don’t want to be in a photo with a Jewish religious leader. And if that’s the case, if that’s what you’re afraid of, okay. Let’s talk behind closed doors. We have to engage with each other. We have to talk. The threat to Judaism and Jews from the world of Islam is one that can only be cured from within the world of Islam and the leaders of Islam have to take a stand. We’re willing to be brave. Please be brave with us and you’ll see that we will acknowledge that we ourselves are not perfect. There is a lot of work to be done but at a time such as this, if leaders don’t stand up to be counted, our world will be in even greater peril.

The plagues in Egypt paved the way for the redemption of our people. We’re currently in a dark tunnel of suffering. I believe there is light at the end of it. But this light will only come when leaders are held to account. When we neutralise the voices of those who speak hatred. When those who are silent start talking out. When we show true leadership. Ultimately the light will come when leaders stand up and guarantee an end to anti-Semitism and that all on earth will enjoy peace, security and wellbeing for one and all.

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Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis is Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom. The above text was adapted from a speech he delivered at the Global Conference for Combating Anti-Semitism.