I just read an article about a store in a predominantly (completely?) Jewish neighborhood that refuses to sell Batman merchandise because, according to the owner, Batman doesn't represent Jewish values. (There is also a claim that interest in Batman would lead to watching TV, which is at least frowned upon by the haredi community, but that's a stretch; Batman is wonderfully represented in comics.) The claim is that Batman is violent, a trait the store does not want to offer as an option the Jewish children who end up with its toys. Although the owner is free to sell ANY toys, I disagree with the logic presented in the article.

Batman IS a hero, even from a Jewish viewpoint. 

His goal is to fix the dangerous and corrupt life in Gotham City by fighting the criminals there. This exemplifies the Jewish concept of תיקון עולם, fixing that which is wrong in the world. 

He usually acts on a local scale (as opposed to Superman, who more often acts globally), in accordance with the advice of the רמב״ם on the subject of צדקה, i.e. that charity should begin as close to home as possible. 

Not that he needs the money (more on that later), Batman does not get paid for his work; he does it all voluntarily. Public service is something admired in Jewish values. 

Although he does use violence, this is neither a bad thing nor is it contrary to Judaism. 
He fights criminals, usually violent ones who prey on the innocent citizenry of Gotham. And while some might judge his methods as harsh, he is displaying the attribute of justice. 

As for the idea that violence is not a Jewish trait, that is a distortion of the truth. Violence IS used, but only when it is the only option left. יעקב violently struggled with an angel, to the point where he was permanently injured. When משה רבנו saw the injustice of an Egyptian striking his fellow Jew, he used lethal violence as his solution (interestingly, a step Batman would not have taken). In just a few days we begin celebrating Chanukah, a holiday commemorating the violent overthrowing of antisemitic tyranny. Many other examples can be cited, of course. Judaism advocates violence in the appropriate setting, as does Batman.

At the same time, as mentioned above, Batman never kills. This shows his display of mercy. Despite the many calls from his colleagues to break this most sacred of his rules in extenuating circumstances (i.e. when the Joker tried to kill all the newborn babies in the city) he refuses time and again. Life is sacred to Batman. A very Jewish concept. 

While Batman does operate outside the law, which may be seen as a bad example for kids, he does so with the approval of Commissioner Gordon. This is tantamount to his being a deputized agent of the Gotham City Police Department. This is not only a way of showing the roundabout legality of his actions, it follows a little-known Jewish legal code. When a crime is committed, specifically manslaughter, it is the right of the victim's family to exact retribution from the killer, with the approval of the local court. In certain cases the court authorizes a deputized agent to exact justice on behalf of the victim's family. Batman can be seen as playing this role in Gotham; unofficially deputized by the GCPD to fight on behalf of the victims throughout the city. 

To sum up (almost), Batman displays very Jewish traits: תיקון עולם, local public service, justice, mercy, and a loose adherence to the laws of the land. But these are just his positive traits while in costume. He does other acts of charity and goodwill as his alter ego, Bruce Wayne. 

Bruce Wayne heads Wayne Industries, a conglomerate company that owns many businesses. Among these are numerous research and development facilities dedicated to curing diseases, creating new technologies, and preserving/cleaning the environment. 

By ever expanding his business' scope, he creates new jobs for the people of Gotham City. 

He also funds the Thomas and Martha Wayne foundations. These are two separate charitable organizations that help hundreds, maybe thousands, of people in Gotham. 

There have been two Robins (Batman's sidekick) who were orphaned at a young age. Aside from assisting Batman in all the acts of חסד listed above, they were looked after by Bruce Wayne. We are commanded many times to protect widows and orphans in our midst, and Bruce Wayne does exactly that.

So, what do we have when all is said and done? We have a man who has dedicated his life to upholding notions brought to the world by Judaism. An altruistic defender of the weak, who dispenses justice tempered by mercy, all while helping thousands of needy people. To say Batman is a good Jewish role model is an understatement. 

Oh, by the way - why does he do all this? To honor his father and his mother. I believe that's a Jewish idea as well. 

Heroes

I'm writing this while resting after a week of army field training, so pardon the run-ons.

After another week of reserve duty, I'm struck by the bravery of my fellow soldiers. Here are guys from Tel Aviv or Eilat or wherever working all year long as businessmen or accountants or students or whatever, and they are spending one week or two weeks or a month of their year sleeping in tents just so they'll be ready to defend their country when called. These men are lions. They are mostly guys I would never give a second look; secular or a smoker or a nerd or an ars or whatever. But we all share this insatiable love for our country. And it's this love that makes us more than just fellow citizens or neighbors or comrades in arms. We are brothers. And if God forbid we were to ever find ourselves in combat, I know I would be safe, surrounded by family.

What if...?

What if we got everything we want?

I'm almost done with my 34th day of mourning and fasting over something lost long before I was born. And because of that, for most of my life, Tish'a B'Av has been a detached sort of mourning. How can I mourn the loss of something I never had? I never stood in the courtyard of God's house, never saw the miracle of the wind-proof column of smoke, never heard the sweet songs of the Levites. I don't even know the tunes! I never got to see the radiance of the Kohen Gadol's face as he exited the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur, KNOWING that God had forgiven us for our sins. I never had the closeness to God that I cry for having lost. As for why I should bother crying at all, I'll get to that another time.

But what if I could make the country into anything I wanted? That's what my next few posts are going to be about. And I would LOVE it if anyone reading would give me feedback, positive OR negative.

Let's start taking all our "What if"s and turning them into "When"s.

Miluim update

So I'm serving my country.

I want to tell you all about it, but I don't want to be like Anat Kamm and reveal any sensitive materials. So here goes my army service: the censored version.

I was sent to the [censored] base near [censored] for training. We [censored] for [censored] hours, and then ate [censored] before [censored]. Thursday morning, we left for [censored]. How beautiful it is here! I went on a [censored] to look over the [censored] and I was [censored] by it. No other word can describe it. Anyway, I'm [censored] so I'm going to go to [censored].

Hope you enjoyed the update. Thanks a lot, Ms. Kamm...y'dumb [censored].

Megillat Esther, Yoni Style (pt. 10)

Chapter 10: Epilogue

After all the drama, things finally settle down to normal. Achashverosh levies taxes on everyone he possibly can. As for Mordechai, he was a great vizier. In his post, he looked out for all Jews, and was liked by most of them. The rest can be found in the chronicles of the kings of Persia.

And as the curtain is about to go down on our little show, Charvona hobbles out on his one crutch and says, in his Cockney accent:

"A Happy Purim to all! And God bless us, everyone!"

Megillat Esther, Yoni Style (pt. 9)

Chapter 9: ...Smells Like Victory.

The date arrives: Adar 13. Civil war erupts within the Persian empire, Jew vs. non-Jew. And although the Jews were greatly outnumbered, we win!! In Shushan alone the Jews kill 500 of our enemies, as well as the ten sons of Haman.

The casualty report was brought before Achashverosh. After reviewing the results, he approached Esther:

"In Shushan, your people have killed five hundred men, and the sons of Haman. In the rest of the kingdom, they've done much, much more. So now, my queen - what else do you want? What more can I do for you?"

Why the show of kindness? Achashverosh doesn't owe anything anymore, and she hadn't asked for anything. So why does he ask?

Achashverosh is a very shrewd politician. He knows the way the political winds blow. As soon as he sees the Jews on the upswing, he jumps at the chance to become more popular. He isn't really interested in helping Esther or her people; he's interested in consolidating his power.

Esther has one small thing to ask:

"If it please his majesty, let the Jews continue to fight their enemies tomorrow. As for the ten sons of Haman, let their corpses hang on the gallows for all to see."

The king grants her request, and the Jews proceed to kill another 300 of their foes on the 14th of Adar. In total, the civil war cost the lives of 75,000 enemies of the Jews. And the spoils? They were left untouched by the victors. You see, for the Jews, it wasn't about riches. It was about self-preservation. And we got that.

After the war is over, Mordechai sends out letters to all the 127 provinces, filling them in on all the details of the palace drama/politics that was only known to a handful of people until now. He urges everyone to establish a yearly celebration on two days, the 14th and 15th of Adar (since those were the days the Jews celebrated their underdog victory).

Jews all over the empire take it upon themselves to establish an annual holiday on the 14th and 15th days of Adar to be known as Purim, in commemoration of the pur (lots) that Haman used to choose the date of his evil plan. They declared these days to be days of feasting, joyousness, giving to the needy, and sharing gifts between neighbors.

So it was written, so let it be done.

Megillat Esther, Yoni Style (pt. 8)

Chapter 8: Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old Boss

From the outset, it seems like a 'happily ever after' situation is taking place: Mordechai was brought before Achashverosh, revealed as uncle to the queen. Almost immediately afterward, he was appointed to the post that Haman had occupied. As a sign of his gratitude and trust, Achashverosh gave his signet ring to Mordechai, allowing him to issue any orders he sees fit, with the power of the throne behind him.

But all is NOT well. Sure Haman is gone, but the royal edict to eradicate the kingdom of all Jews still stands!

Esther finds herself in a very awkward position. She has no more tricks up her sleeve. She can no longer manipulate Achashverosh like she did before. So what now? How can she convince him to rescind the order?

Abject begging.

She throws herself at the king's feet, crying. He extends his scepter to her once again, and asks what she wants (noticeably absent is the offer of half the kingdom). Esther pleads with all her heart:

"If it pleases the king, and if his majesty does love me; if the king sees that it is the right thing to do, and if I'm still his majesty's chosen queen, his majesty will please send out an order to retract the edict sent out by that traitor, Haman. For how can I go on, knowing that my people are doomed? How can I see them destroyed?"

And now, when all is laid bare, free of pretense, we see Achashverosh's true colors - He could not care less about the Jews:

"Look, I've given you and your uncle Haman's post, and I've executed Haman on the gallows meant for your uncle. You want to write an order? Write any order you want. Sign it with my ring. I will back up whatever you write, with one proviso: no edict of the king shall ever be rescinded."

So Esther and Mordechai realize they're on their own. The king is obviously more interested in his public opinion as a strong and confident ruler than in making sure his queen is happy. Not to mention the impending slaughter of every Jew in the realm. All Achashverosh cares about is being (or at least appearing to be)a strong ruler.

It's at this point that Mordechai, in the name of Achashverosh, writes a new edict:

"As stated in an earlier decree, the enemies of the Jews will be allowed to kill the Jews on the 13th of Adar, and whoever kills them may take their property. However, the king wishes to add one detail. On that day, the Jews will be allowed to defend themselves. Furthermore, the property of anyone killed by the Jews will be forfeit to them."

What does this actually do for the Jews?

Originally, what Haman proposed was a state-sponsored pogrom. The enemies of the Jews would be allowed to kill their Jewish neighbors, and the unwritten implication was that the king would not mind if local governors lent a hand. What Mordechai did, by allowing the Jews to defend themselves, was turn the pogrom into a civil war. Now the governors would have to consider: do they help the Jews or their enemies? How can they decide? How can they know who the king favors?

Mordechai plays his next move brilliantly.

He dresses in his princely garments and has a huge, ticker-tape parade in Shushan. A bit premature, isn't it? I mean, after all, the Jews have yet to be saved. But this is not a victory parade, it's a PR move: when the news that the king's new vizier is a Jew, and he's beloved by the everyone in the capital, they will assume that the king is showing favor to the Jews. And maybe it would behoove them to help the Jews instead of their enemies.

Sounds a little far-fetched, huh? Well, it works.

News of Mordechai's appointment spreads throughout the kingdom. Wherever the news reaches, there are incredible celebrations among the Jews. Singing, dancing, public displays of glee and joy are the order of the day.

And how does the news effect the non-Jewish population? They are so impressed by/scared of the Jews that there is a mass movement towards conversion to Judaism. And for those who don't convert, their sympathies strongly shift over from anti- to pro-Semitic (if that's even a word).

Politically, we've won!

But there's still an actual war to be fought.