Why Mel Owes One To The Jews (The Passion of Christ)

Toward Tradition ^ | February 12, 2004 | Rabbi Daniel Lapin

[Mr. Mulliner]

Why Mel Owes One To The Jews
February 12, 2004

By Rabbi Daniel Lapin
President, Toward Tradition

Two weeks before Mel Gibson's Passion flashes onto two thousand screens, online ticket merchants are reporting that up to half their total sales are for advance purchases for Passion. One Dallas multiplex has reserved all twenty of its screens for The Passion. I am neither a prophet nor a movie critic. I am merely an Orthodox rabbi using ancient Jewish wisdom to make three predictions about The Passion.

One, Mel Gibson and Icon Productions will make a great deal of money. Those distributors who surrendered to pressure from Jewish organizations and passed on Passion will be kicking themselves, while Newmarket Films will laugh all the way to the bank. Theater owners are going to love this film.

Two, Passion will become famous as the most serious and substantive Biblical movie ever made. It will be one of the most talked-about entertainment events in history, it is currently on the cover of Newsweek and Vanity Fair.

My third prediction is that the faith of millions of Christians will become more fervent as Passion uplifts and inspires them. Passion will propel vast numbers of unreligious Americans to embrace Christianity. The movie will one day be seen as a harbinger of America's third great religious reawakening.

Those Jewish organizations that have squandered both time and money futilely protesting Passion, ostensibly in order to prevent pogroms in Pittsburgh, can hardly be proud of their performance. They failed at everything they attempted. They were hoping to ruin Gibson rather than enrich him. They were hoping to suppress Passion rather than promote it. Finally, they were hoping to help Jews rather than harm them.

Here I digress slightly to exercise the Jewish value of "giving the benefit of the doubt" by discounting cynical suggestions growing in popularity, that the very public nature of their attack on Gibson exposed their real purpose-fundraising. Apparently, frightening wealthy widows in Florida about anti-Semitic thugs prowling the streets of America causes them to open their pocketbooks and refill the coffers of groups with little other raison d'être. But let's assume they were hoping to help Jews.

However, instead of helping the Jewish community, they have inflicted lasting harm. By selectively unleashing their fury only on wholesome entertainment that depicts Christianity, in a positive light, they have triggered anger, hurt, and resentment. Hosting the Toward Tradition Radio Show and speaking before many audiences nationwide, I enjoy extensive communication with Christian America and what I hear is troubling. Fearful of attracting the ire of Jewish groups that are so quick to hurl the "anti-Semite" epithet, some Christians are reluctant to speak out. Although one can bludgeon resentful people into silence, behind closed doors emotions continue to simmer.

I consider it crucially important for Christians to know that not all Jews are in agreement with their self-appointed spokesmen. Most American Jews, experiencing warm and gracious interactions each day with their Christian fellow-citizens, would feel awkward trying to explain why so many Jewish organizations seem focused on an agenda hostile to Judeo-Christian values. Many individual Jews have shared with me their embarrassment that groups, ostensibly representing them, attack Passion but are silent about depraved entertainment that encourages killing cops and brutalizing women. Citing artistic freedom, Jewish groups helped protect sacrilegious exhibits such as the anti-Christian feces extravaganza presented by the Brooklyn Museum four years ago. One can hardly blame Christians for assuming that Jews feel artistic freedom is important only when exercised by those hostile toward Christianity. However, this is not how all Jews feel.

From audiences around America, I am encountering bitterness at Jewish organizations insisting that belief in the New Testament is de facto evidence of anti-Semitism. Christians heard Jewish leaders denouncing Gibson for making a movie that follows Gospel accounts of the Crucifixion long before any of them had even seen the movie. Furthermore, Christians are hurt that Jewish groups are presuming to teach them what Christian Scripture "really means." Listen to a rabbi whom I debated on the Fox television show hosted by Bill O'Reilly last September. This is what he said, "We have a responsibility as Jews, as thinking Jews, as people of theology, to respond to our Christian brothers and to engage them, be it Protestants, be it Catholics, and say, look, this is not your history, this is not your theology, this does not represent what you believe in."

He happens to be a respected rabbi and a good one, but he too has bought into the preposterous proposition that Jews will reeducate Christians about Christian theology and history. Is it any wonder that this breathtaking arrogance spurs bitterness?

Many Christians who, with good reason, have considered themselves to be Jews' best (and perhaps, only) friends also feel bitter at Jews believing that Passion is revealing startling new information about the Crucifixion. They are incredulous at Jews thinking that exposure to the Gospels in visual form will instantly transform the most philo-Semitic gentiles of history into snarling, Jew-hating predators.

Christians are baffled by Jews who don't understand that President George Washington, who knew and revered every word of the Gospels, was still able to write that oft-quoted beautiful letter to the Touro Synagogue in Newport, offering friendship and full participation in America to the Jewish community.

One of the directors of the AJC recently warned that Passion "could undermine the sense of community between Christians and Jews that's going on in this country. We're not allowing the film to do that." No sir, it isn't the film that threatens the sense of community; it is the arrogant and intemperate response of Jewish organizations that does so.

Jewish organizations, hoping to help but failing so spectacularly, refutes all myths of Jewish intelligence. How could their plans have been so misguided and the execution so inept?

Ancient Jewish wisdom teaches that nothing confuses one's thinking more than being in the grip of the two powerful emotions, love and hate. The actions of these Jewish organizations sadly suggest that they are in the grip of a hatred for Christianity that is only harming Jews.

Today, peril threatens all Americans, both Jews and Christians. Many of the men and women in the front lines find great support in their Christian faith. It is strange that Jewish organizations, purporting to protect Jews, think that insulting allies is the preferred way to carry out that mandate.

A ferocious Rottweiler dog in your suburban home will quickly estrange your family from the neighborhood. For those of us in the Jewish community who cherish friendship with our neighbors, some Jewish organizations have become our Rottweilers. God help us.

Radio talk show host, Rabbi Daniel Lapin, 
is president of Toward Tradition,
a bridge-building organization 
providing a voice for all Americans 
who defend the Judeo-Christian values 
vital for our nation’s survival.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact: Jennifer Brunson (206) 236-3046

[Askel5]

very interesting site as well ... can you tell me any more about this group?

[kstewskis]

Order your advanced tickets for "The Passion of The Christ"!

1-800-353-6102

1-888-227-1152

Send Mel a message of support!

Needing promotional materials for "The Passion of The Christ" to share with family, friends, or your church?

Share THE PASSION during the holy season of Lenten renewal

This is a ping list for those who wish to share in viewing Mel Gibson's film, The Passion, while observing the traditions of Lent together.

If you want on or off this list, please FReepmail Northern Yankee

If you want to see what areas and countries are supporting the film, and how you can support and promote The Passion of Christ (the official title) to show at a theater near you, please visit this link: Support The Passion of Christ

[Dataman]

[daclam]

Oh. Um, I knew that... yeah.

as for "Dataman", please follow the forum rules which do not allow for "personal attacks". Also, a generalization is the offspring of a lie.

[Salem]

Our church Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, CA., has secured 4500 tickets, and a whole theater here, the two nights before the regular movie release Ash Wednesday.

The controversy and media coverage of this cinematic event has been jaw-dropping. I am incredulous.

G-D BLESS AND MANY THANKS ABE FOXMAN AND EVERY JEWISH ORGANIZATION WHO OPPOSED AND ATTACKED THIS!  

You can't pay for exposure and advertising like this!





If you'd like to be on or off this
Christian Supporters of Israel ping list,
please FR mail me. ~
    
There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had
spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass. (Joshua 21:45)
Letter To The President In Support Of Israel ~
'Final Solution,' Phase 2 ~
Warnings ~

[Salem]

Let me clarify this: "every liberal Jewish organization."

G-d bless mightily the Orthodox and other Jews who stood against the hysteria and demonizing tactics, on Mel's behalf.

[Mr. Mulliner]

Toward Tradition was founded by Rabbi Lapin and this article is very representative of the kind of thing they publish and promote. They have a quarterly journal (which I used to receive but for some reason have not been getting) which includes articles by both Jews and Christians. They are worth checking out for their unified voice on conservative issues.

A few years ago when I lived in Seattle where Rabbi Lapin lives, I invited him to come to my men's morning Bible study to teach us about the Proverbs. He responded very kindly that there was nothing he liked more than to teach Scripture, but he declined my invitation because he was trying to meet a deadline for the completion of his first book. The title of that book when it came out was America's Real War, but at the time his working subtitle was An Orthodox Rabbi Makes the Case for Christianity, a name which for some reason the publishers wouldn't go along with.

Rabbi Lapin is a good friend of many Christian leaders and regularly appears on some Christian broadcasts such as D. James Kennedy and Jerry Falwell. He was very influential in the life and thinking of Michael Medved who, I understand, moved to Seattle in 1996 to be near Rabbi Lapin. Rabbi Lapin himself used to, and probably still does, have a radio program called "The Rabbi's Roundtable." He is one of the keenest and most gracious people you'll ever hear on talk radio. I'm still waiting for the day when his program will be more widely syndicated.

[Happy2BMe]

"Many Christians who, with good reason, have considered themselves to be Jews' best (and perhaps, only) friends also feel bitter at Jews believing that Passion is revealing startling new information about the Crucifixion. They are incredulous at Jews thinking that exposure to the Gospels in visual form will instantly transform the most philo-Semitic gentiles of history into snarling, Jew-hating predators."

Passion Ping!

[Blue Collar Christian]

"The vast majority of the detractors of this film don't even respect their own faith, much less respect somebody else's."

The same motivation is behind the movement to remove all evidence of the Judeo-Christian foundation of this country from public edifices.

Who could be behind the agenda of hate, throwing that label of "hatred" on others to thinly veil the agenda of hate?

[Askel5]

Thank you so much for the reply!

I shall keep an eye out for him and see if I can't get on their list as well.

[mseltzer]

I'm with you, outstanding. I love Rabbi Lapin. He has so much more class than those loudmouths like Foxman.

[Alouette]

I was not planning on seeing this film, but my son told me he can't wait to see it (just to stick his finger in the eye of the ADL).

What I would really like, though, is for Mel or perhaps Steven Spielberg to make a historically accurate, based-on-original-sources movie about Rabbi Akiva. It is guaranteed to be a big hit because not only does it have a bloody, gory, shocking martyrdom scene but also a very powerful romance.

[VOA]

"I am merely an Orthodox rabbi using ancient Jewish wisdom..."

Just a quick reference for lurkers/posters...to show Rabbi Lapin is exercising discretion
like a great historical teacher of Jewish law:

ACTS 5
34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of
the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles
forth a little space;
35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend
to do as touching these men.
36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody;
to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain;
and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much
people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this
counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even
to fight against God.

[Valin]

My third prediction is that the faith of millions of Christians will become more fervent as Passion uplifts and inspires them. Passion will propel vast numbers of unreligious Americans to embrace Christianity. The movie will one day be seen as a harbinger of America's third great religious reawakening.

< fake Jewish accent>
From your lips, to G-ds ears.
< /fake Jewish accent>

[Salem]

"I was not planning on seeing this film, but my son told me he can't wait to see it (just to stick his finger in the eye of the ADL)."

Haa, haa!!

Ma'am, please inform your son the Evangelical Christian supporters of Israel at Free Republic, and indeed, throughout the American nation, applaud and appreciate his principled stand, and that the sons and daughters of Alouette are continually in our thoughts and prayers.  

Bravo ... wonderful....




If you'd like to be on or off this
Christian Supporters of Israel ping list,
please FR mail me. ~
    
There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had
spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass. (Joshua 21:45)
Letter To The President In Support Of Israel ~
'Final Solution,' Phase 2 ~
Warnings ~

[Valin]

And a FINE piece of nitpicking it is.

[Valin]

Ok, on behalf of all us goys who is Rabbi Akiva?

As an aside, if this movie is half as successful as I believe it could spinoff any number of "religous" films.

[Humidston]

Not to worry, Thougthomator. I should have qualified my post by saying ADL Jews. I have a long list of favorites and Lapin is up on the top, closely followed by Dennis Prager.

We must not allow some of those liberals to separate us because I think things will really heat up in our lifetimes.

Blessings

[yonif]

I will probably be watching it a few days before it is released at a preview.

I will first watch it and then comment.

[T'wit]

I read this earlier in my e-mail and thought it was a great essay, but that the title was not quite appropriate. It doesn't really convey Rabbi Lapin's point.