Rabbi Meir Kahane
Before I begin to elaborate in today’s speech, I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest and most sincere gratitude to my dear mother for having instilled within my heart and soul a most devoted love for Zionism and the Land of Israel. Even though, most, if not all, my Zionistic philosophies and Israeli patriotic ideologies stem from my own study and research delving into this topic, because of my mother’s deep affection for Israel and her yearning for it as a home, these special feelings were forever embedded within me. My mother deserves the credit for planting the seed that has blossomed into fruition. My blessing to my mother: May she merit to see me make the final trip to Israel as an Oleh Chadash, and may she join me soon after — Amen!
Today is a day of memorial, the twenty-seventh yahrtzeit of Rabbi Meir Kahane, Rav Meir Dovid ben Yechezkel Shraga HaKohen, Zecher Tzadik L’vracha, Hashem Yikom Damo. Rabbi Kahane’s name has unquestionably gone down in history as one of the most controversial figures of the last few centuries as a member of religious Judaism. His absolute devotion to the causes that he believed in, undoubtedly left an everlasting impression on the many that knew him well, those who were only affiliated with him, and even those who only recognized his name because of their exposure to the press and media. His legacy continues to influence and inspire the people of today and will continue to do so for generations to come. How many individuals of today’s world can claim that their devotion to a cause, whatever that may be, is so unconditional and so absolute that they are willing, without any thought whatsoever, and without any impartiality to any other cause, to whole heartedly, literally sacrifice themselves for that agenda? It did not matter what others thought of him; it did not matter what others said to him; it did not matter what others did to him; one could not dampen his devotion to the Jewish nation, nor could other individuals’ biases sway his commitment to that cause. Moreover, he had no self-agenda with his eyes set on power, greatness, or any sort of leadership position. His only goal was that of aid for the Jewish nation. He was wholeheartedly committed to advancing the Jewish nation’s prestige, raise their morale, and teach them to begin to fight for their beliefs, as so not to let the rest of the world continue to trample on them and stifle their spirits.
Nonetheless, there were many individuals from all levels of society who did not thoroughly understand and appreciate this complete devotion and commitment to a cause. I am especially referring to the many prominent rabbis and leaders of the more religious and right-wing Zionistic communities. They were what the world called extreme; however, Rabbi Kahane was even more extreme—too extreme for them. Where does one begin to draw the line? I do not know. However, it is twenty-seven years later, and we are not better off in those areas to which he fervently devoted his life to. We have recessed and sunken deeper into a hole that becomes more difficult to climb out from every day. As time goes on, these pressing issues become even more complicated that will slowly amount into a boiling catastrophe, which we will never have the ability to rectify. Waiting it out does not help; believing in cover-ups and ignoring the situation does not help; these are issues that we must deal with soon—very soon.
However, most do not see this. Most are not on the level to analyze the situation and come to such a conclusion. In addition, even many of those who have such a capability of deep-thinking and have an ability to arrive at such reasoning, will nevertheless turn around and seek the false prophets in the other directions. Many are fearful to be associated with such extremists. In today’s world, the only extreme permitted is to allow one to be more liberal. However, I will state what I have said before: “It takes an extremist to combat extremism!” You do not win every battle by being the nice guy. Most of the time you lose by being the nice guy. We do not have to let the world step all over us and trample us to death like we have many times in our history. We do not have to perish standing by idly. We must go down fighting for our beliefs. This will show the rest of the world that we honestly believe in what we practice. We do not just preach it. We fight for what we believe in— to the death!
Rabbi Kahane’s philosophy dealt with Jewish pride, something that so many of us lack. Without this pride, many more Jews are susceptible to assimilation and complete disregard for the Jewish nation. If more Jewish individuals would have such a pride, there would be less of a reason for the many to resort to other religions or no religion at all. In addition, pride would give many in the ultra-religious world something to hang on to. This would hold back many from exploring other ways of life. Pride for the religion and pride for our homeland; Eretz Yisroel. This pride can connect so many more Jews to their religion and will furthermore bring many more of us together — with Achdut.
Rav Kahane was an extremely religious and devout individual. He was not, in any context, a supporter of bending the Torah law. He had no stomach for new movements that disregard the oral law and rabbinical decrees. He was a true role model for those who seek a religious path yet want to be a part of a modernized world and embrace Zionism. This is the biggest impact he has had on me. Though I was only two-and-a-half years old when he was murdered, and it is now twenty-seven years since his death, I look to his writings for inspiration in my own life on a daily basis. Yes, it took me some time to become familiar with his name and importance; nevertheless, it was unquestionably better late than never. As the years have passed I have become more Zionistic and devoted to the Jewish pride that I carry with me. Over that time, I have begun to understand what others do not understand or let alone want to understand. His writings have answered many questions I had regarding Zionism and Israel. His writings have taught me many truths that many others wish to ignore. I will continue to look towards his legacy for my inspiration and guidance.
I know that there are others out there in the world who feel similarly to me, and some others that are much more involved with spreading his teachings and legacy that I am none other than one fish in a large ocean. However, I aspire to have the opportunity in the future to take from the many things he taught and be able to apply them to my own life and in upbringing my family. I aim for a more active role in putting to action all those things that I believe in. Fear keeps many away from pursuing their goals and agendas. The fear can be of anything. It hinders the ability to move forward. Rabbi Kahane has taught me that fear is not an excuse. One must set out and conquer the fear. If your belief is that important, you must push the fear aside. I hope that this will begin to give me the inspiration I need for my own life to tackle the obstacles that I encounter on my personal journey.
Rabbi Kahane, even today, you are an inspiration for me and others. Many did not agree with you and many more hated you; however, they must all agree that you were undoubtedly devoted to your beliefs, the Land of Israel, and the Jewish people as a whole. You put the Jewish nation much before your own needs in every step of the way. Your devotion was one of a kind, and maybe, much before or after the time you should have lived in. You were underappreciated and did not receive the proper and fitting recognition due to you. However, there are some individuals who have gained a tremendous amount from your legacy, and I am one of them.
Therefore, let us mark this day on the calendar, the 18th of Mar-Cheshvan, as a day of remembrance for Rav Meir Dovid ben Yechezkel Shraga HaKohen, Zecher Tzadik L’vracha, Hashem Yikom Damo. May his memory be a blessing and his legacy be an inspiration for all.
Reprinted from Return to Tzion – Philosophy and Inspiration About the Holy Land