Technical Foul!

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Published: April 14, 2007

Visitor Comments: 20

(20) Steve, May 28, 2007 1:32 AM

I wish more people would think like that

You are so right Rabbi. Not only in Judaism but in racist comments generally people want to throw the racist victim card around which is really hurting society.

(19) Anonymous, April 23, 2007 1:44 PM

I Agree, A Technical Foul Is Justified

Rabbi - I could not agree with you more.

(18) uri katz, April 20, 2007 12:40 PM

Exactly

Brilliant and succint as usual.

(17) Anonymous, April 20, 2007 12:55 AM

To Anonymous, 4/18/2007 4:30:00 AM

Hi,

I agree with your comment.

Just thought to tell you that if your mother was Jewish, as it seems from your comment, then you are 100% Jewish, not half Jewish.

Jewishness is determined by matrilineal descent, and the religion of the father does not impact your religious status.

(16) Anonymous, April 18, 2007 4:30 AM

Rabbi Solomon you talk such good sense

It is always so good to listen to your wisdom/common sense. In London before and during WW2 my mother suffered real antisemitism and so did I during the 1950's in England and when I lived in Europe in the 1980's. Let's not confuse the real thing and as the Rabbi says there are plenty enough that hate us (& I am only half Jewish)

(15) Dee - Sonora CA, April 17, 2007 5:17 PM

I agree...wholeheartedly!

"Nitpicking" does dilute the meaning of the term and tends to give people an "oh no here we go again" attitude. There's so much flagrant hatred of the Jewish people out there; let's bring that to light instead of trying to pacify evil people in the name of "tolerance"and "open-mindedness".
I very much look forward to receiving your videos and sometimes forward the link to friends.
B'rachot, D.

(14) Shulamit Ezekiel, April 17, 2007 2:07 PM

I disagree

Based on Rabbi Salomon's summary, I think any discourse on Jews in power spiced with words like "crafty" is just fuel for the rising anti-semitic environment we live in. It is plainly inappropriate. How is the religion of his lawyer relevant? Why did the coach go to such lengths to discuss this, where is his common sense?

(13) Joey, April 16, 2007 12:27 PM

Granted that this is the first I have heard about this issue, it does not really sound anti-Semitic---but as Daniela points out, it touches on the stereotypes that are more dangerous. It also depends how it is said, and incidently, I have heard dozens of similar jokes on TV about Jews (many on shows with Jewish writers).

These stereotypes seem benign, and in fact, are "good" ones ("Jews are good lawyers." "How DARE you?!") The ADL president is right, caution is needed, but this seems to have gone a bit too far.

God bless.

(12) Kuppel Lindow, April 16, 2007 10:34 AM

Way to go!

I have felt this way for some time. America in general has become way too politically correct and we make moutains out of molehills. As Jews, we have a lot to be worried about as our past history shows, but we must be as objective as possible.

(11) Anonymous, April 16, 2007 10:10 AM

Please send it to him.

BS"D

Dear Rabbi Salomon.
Make shure to send this moovie to the player.
Thanks.
ItÂ´s gonna be a Kidush Hashem.

(10) Margarita, April 16, 2007 3:32 AM

it depends

It depends how was it said. You give us a summary of the event. If your summary is complete, than you are right. However the same thing might be said with different emphasis. It sometimes not what was said, but how it was said.
However you are right, it's time to concentrate on real enemies. One more thing, I have noticed one of the comments saying that Carter is not anti-Semite, he is just against Israel. People who are blaming Israel for everything and understand terrorists are not just anti-Israel, they deny our right to live. It's not like Carter is against one of the policies of particular Israeli Government, he understands terrorists. That is the problem...
I hope you have e-mail of the person of such comment and may be forward couple of Alan Dershowitz articles, which I personally find brilliant providing that Alan Dershowitz doesn't agree with every policy of the Israeli Government himself. May be it's a good topic for something to think about?
Thank you again for making us think.

(9) Sanford D. Horn, April 15, 2007 5:15 PM

Political Correctness Run Afoul

I agree with the comments made by Rabbi Salomon regarding CBA Coach and former Knicks player Michael Ray Richardson.
There are plenty of hardcore anti-Semites out there; we needn't scour every nook and crany to dig up what are basically true statements. Stereotypes are typically borne out of some truth.
Let's keep that in perspective when considering for whom to vote. The Democratic party takes the Jewish vote for granted election after election, but look at the actions of people like former president Jimmy Carter, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Congressman Jim Moran (VA-8).
Knee-jerk Democratic voters should consider that with so-called friends like them, who needs friends.

(8) Daniela, April 15, 2007 4:05 PM

I dunno...

I think the better response to him would have been to take him aside and explain a few things about complimenting Jews too much about what stuff we're good at - it tends to allow for stereotypes such as how good we are with money, and *that* is what leads to trouble. Suspension may indeed be overkill, but let's not forget that it is indeed not acceptable to point out how "good" black people are at basketball or dancing just because many of them excell at these. Why ? Because nobody likes to be painted into boxes. In the case of black people it previously lead others to stand in the way of those who wanted to break into professions not normally associated with blacks. In the case of Jews it leads to accusations and anti-Semitic fears of being bested and overtaken by "clever" Jews. Over reaction in this case may be wrong, but we would be remiss not to react at all.

(7) Roni, April 15, 2007 12:12 PM

My response to "Technical Foul"

Amen!

(6) Anonymous, April 15, 2007 9:43 AM

Truth or Prejudice

To recognize the French as accomplished artists, the Blacks for their rhythm in music and sports, the Orientals for their industriousness, etc. is to recognize the facts as they are (at least today). To hate anyone or any group because of these truths is bigotry.

Are we our own worst enemy when we do not allow the nations to speak our praises?

(5) Anonymous, April 15, 2007 8:29 AM

reply to Goldstein 4/15/07 @ 8:06 AM

Rabbi Solomon speaks the truth.

Why don't you go & read up on everything Jimmy Carter wrote, then maybe you'll see the truth but maybe not, some people choose to be blind.

Your comment "Don't act as though you speak for all Jews" makes no sense. Rabbi Solomon did not initiate speaking for all jews, he's stating his opinion & giving you smth. to think about.
Personally, I would much rather have Rabbi Solomon speak for all jews and not smne. like yourself.

Wishing you the clarity to be able to see & understand the truth.

(4) Anonymous, April 15, 2007 8:14 AM

Wasn't that a compliment?

I think what the basketball player said was a compliment.....I find myself saying it about my own people!!! We should give ourselves a pat on the back....we work hard.....go to grad school and yes, sometimes we are paid back for our hard work! You are right...lets not dilute the phrase anti-semitism!! That brings me to ask you what you thought about the "Imus" incident..... maybe we should all think before we talk! Thanks for your thought provoking videos.......its nice to see a real person on the computer!!!

(3) Goldstein, April 15, 2007 8:06 AM

Jimmy Carter

You just broke what you were trying to teach. Jimmy Carter may be anti-Israel, but he is not an anti-Semite. Don't act as though you speak for all Jews.

(2) Peter Kraynik, April 15, 2007 4:41 AM

Good call Rabbi! It could actually be taken as a complement!

(1) Yitzy, April 15, 2007 3:24 AM

Agreed!

Agreed!
This fellow did not deserve to be suspended and that is on our tab.
In addition, crying "Anti Semite" all the time waters down the impact for all times.

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About the Author

Rabbi Yaakov Salomon

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Rabbi Yaakov Salomon, C.S.W. is a noted psychotherapist, in private practice in Brooklyn, N.Y. for over 25 years. He is a Senior Lecturer and the Creative Director of Aish Hatorah's Discovery Productions. He is also an editor and author for the Artscroll Publishing Series and a member of the Kollel of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath.

Rabbi Salomon is co-author, with Rabbi Noah Weinberg, of the best selling book "What the Angel Taught You; Seven Keys to Life Fulfillment," (Mesorah), and is also the co-producer of the highly-acclaimed film, "Inspired."

Click here to order Yaakov Salomon's new book, Salomon Says: 50 Stirring and Stimulating Stories.

In these marvelous stories -- brimming with wit, understanding, a touch of irony and a large helping of authentic Torah perspective -- we will walk with a renowned and experienced psychotherapist and popular author through the pathways of contemporary life: its crowded sidewalks, its pedestrian malls, and the occasional dead end street. This is a walk through our lives that will be fun, entertaining -- and eye-opening. In our full -- sometimes overfull -- and complex lives, Yaakov Salomon is a welcome and much-needed voice of sanity and reason.

His speaking, writing and musical talents have delighted audiences from Harvard to Broadway and everything in between. Rabbi Salomon shares his life with his wife, Temmy, and their unpredictable family.

Technical Foul!

Let's save anti-semitism for the real thing.

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