Rabbi Marc Schneier
Courtesy Rabbi Marc Schneier
Judaism – at this penitential season – reminds us that it’s human nature to vary human actions. However Jewish custom is evident: a real transformation doesn’t occur in a single day or for comfort. It requires contrition, confession, and alter. With out all three, there is no such thing as a teshuvah or repentance, solely posturing.
Because the Jewish group enters the Days of Awe with Rosh Hashanah on Monday night, adopted by Yom Kippur, we’re reminded that transformation begins with accountability. We replicate, we acknowledge, we confess, after which we decide to a brand new path. That is the framework we should always count on not solely of ourselves, however of those that search to guide us.
Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York Metropolis, has repeatedly said that his views have “evolved.” However what he presents will not be remorse. It’s repositioning. Step one in acknowledging your errors is to specific remorse for previous actions.
Think about his file. In 2020, throughout the protests over George Floyd’s homicide, Mamdani declared on social media that the NYPD was “racist, anti-queer & a major threat to public safety,” including: “Defund it. Dismantle it. End the cycle of violence.” At this time, he vows to keep up the present police headcount and even maintain the lively commissioner. He went so far as just lately saying that he owes NYPD officers an apology, however he has expressed no significant contrition for his previous statements.
He as soon as pushed to decriminalize prostitution, but when requested by The New York Occasions if he nonetheless helps the thought, he refused to reply. He has expressed no contrition for his previous statements.
He argued that New York’s specialised high-school entrance examination needs to be abolished, however now says he’ll maintain it. He embraced the Democratic Socialists of America, then tried to distance himself from the group as soon as it grew to become politically pricey. He has expressed no contrition for his previous statements.
On issues that have an effect on Jewish New Yorkers, Mamdani has by no means condemned the antisemitic slogan, “globalize the intifada,” and just lately mentioned he wouldn’t use the Worldwide Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism.
On the similar time, he continues to accuse Israel of “genocide,” as famous within the Related Press. These contradictions don’t replicate development. They replicate calculation. He has expressed no contrition for his previous statements.
Not too long ago at Brooklyn School, Mamdani denounced the “repression” of pro-Palestinian school. He uncared for to acknowledge that Jewish college students there have endured harassment from a few of those self same school and allies since October seventh. One pupil wrote that professors have singled out Jewish college students, that College students for Justice in Palestine shouted down a Jewish mourning vigil, and that protest-driven hostility has made her really feel unsafe. Mamdani forged school as victims, all whereas ignoring the intimidation Jewish college students proceed to face. He has expressed no contrition for his previous statements.
The Excessive Holy Days demand of us a real strategy of introspection and self-evaluation. By not expressing his contrition and confession, Mamdani has failed miserably at this take a look at.
Contrition, confession, and alter will not be non-obligatory processes. They’re conditions for a real transformation.
It’s acceptable and inspired to vary your positions primarily based on previous errors. However to measure one’s sincerity and dedication to significant change, it’s essential to undergo a strategy of expressing regret for one’s previous actions and wrongdoings.
Rosh Hashanah is the common new yr, marking the anniversary of the creation of humankind. These three rules of self-examination apply not solely to Jews, however to all of humanity.
Within the market of politics, voters have to differentiate between conviction and comfort. New Yorkers wouldn’t have the luxurious of ready years to see if this candidate’s “new agenda” is real. The election is simply weeks away. Town’s future is on the road.
Rabbi Marc Schneier is one in every of New York’s most outstanding rabbinical leaders.
