March 2004

Purim and Impassioned Ignorance
Rabbi Mordekai Shapiro

In a misguided attempt to paraphrase a posuk in Koheleth, Thomas Gray, an 18th Century author pens the oft quoted mantra that “…ignorance is bliss.” As a Rabbi, teacher, and observer of the human condition and social activities, I find the concept of blissful ignorance to be dangerous, if not just plain foolish. I have always felt that a person’s natural curiosity should drive him to be as educated or at least as informed as possible about everything and anything. How can one expect to formulate an opinion about any subject if one is unaware of the facts? We easily bristle at the specter of yet another Holocaust denier or revisionist, because “we all know” that he is wrong. We cannot take seriously the rant of those who would say that the Holocaust was made up by Jews or that it is part of the “Jewish Conspiracy” to take over the world. How much credence do we give to those who would claim that the Jews control the media, the banking industry, world commerce and world governments? Do we really take it seriously when someone claims that Jews were responsible for the assassinations of world leaders or organized terrorist attacks against themselves in order to evoke the sympathy of the world? We have a natural aversion to such scurrilous attacks because we instinctively know that it is wrong and based on falsehood.

This sense of factual indignation faces some serious challenges when we are confronted with matters about which we are not so knowledgeable. This is especially so when the proponents of those ideas are “people in the (not) know” or just very vociferous about their views. Such is the case when we are bombarded in the media with statements, photos, articles or editorials that are designed to elicit a variety of reactions. A picture is painted with subtle brushstrokes meant to be seen in different and often confusing ways. I am often amazed at the errors in news articles about subjects that I think I know about, such as Judaism. I can only imagine how many countless errors there must be in articles or reports about subjects I do not know everything about. I depend on the media to inform and educate not to create a one sided image of distortion. It is a fault of the human condition that allows us to be opinionated based on meager information. But, it is criminal to forge an opinion based on disinformation and false pretense. The history of anti-Semitism or any of its euphemisms, such as anti-Zionism or anti-Israel is paved with ignorance and falsehoods. It is a fact of Jewish life that hatred of the Jew was begat in ignorance, nurtured with rumor and innuendo, matured with governmental decree and proclamation, and has reached a ripe old age fueled by the instant media of our contemporary world. We are periodically treated to the loud rants of falsehoods wrapped in the decorative bows of academia or entertainment which result in more hatred and more violence. It is the same form of provocation that caused riots, crusades, pogroms, expulsions and mass murder. It is the same impassioned hatred that brought about polemics, trials and blood libel accusations. It was the plight of our ancestors in Babylonia, North Africa, Spain, Poland, Germany and anywhere else you can think of. It is what suppressed religion in general, and Judaism in particular, in Russia and the Communist Bloc. It is what fuels world misconception of Modern Israel and the constant struggle for Jewish survival.

The inspiring story of Purim is filled with such examples. King Ahashverosh was considered to be a fool, Prime Minister Haman was ignorant of Jewish tradition and evil to the core, Bigtan and Terseh, who plotted against the king, were just inept, and all the “upright” citizens of Persia followed the example of these “great” leaders. Is it no wonder that when their foolishness, ignorance and ineptitude were exposed, each had his downfall? Purim teaches us of the hidden nature of Hashem’s design for the world. The twists and turns of life NEVER seem to make sense when they are unfolding before our eyes. We have but to combat ignorance with knowledge, uncertainty with a strengthening of belief and conviction, and our own insecurities with an adherence to Torah and Yiddishkeit. Our sages teach us that Purim marks a period of renewed Kabbalat Hatorah. The posuk in Megillat Esther says, “Kiymu v’kiblu haYehudim…,” the Jews renewed their promise to sustain and accept the responsibility of Torah adherence for themselves and all future generations. It is up to us to fulfill that promise.