Is a Television Court Show the Place for a Frum Yid?

By Rabbi Shmuli Rosenberg

Sefer Shemos begins with the commencement of golus Mitzrayim. Mitzrayim was to be the first exile of many that the Jewish people would endure. As the adage goes, history repeats itself. The trials, tribulations and lessons of the first golus remain as relevant as ever.

The first mitzvah given to us in Egypt was Rosh Chodesh: “Hachodesh hazeh lochem rosh chodoshim.” What is so significant about Rosh Chodesh that it was given as a prelude to the exodus?

Chazal teach us that the Jews are compared to the moon and the nations of the world are compared to the sun. The Nachlas Dovid explains that in the moon’s monthly cycle, it appears larger as it moves away from the sun. The closer the moon gets to the sun, the smaller it appears to us. The same applies to the Jewish people. The further we are from the nations of the world, the brighter we shine. The closer we are to the nations of the world, the smaller we become. This is the key to our survival in golus and this is the lesson of the mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh. It is no wonder that this lesson is taught leading up to the redemption.

The posuk in Parshas Shemos states, “Uvenei Yisroel paru vayishretzu vayirbu vaya’atzmu bime’od me’od vatimolei ha’aretz osam – The Bnei Yisroel were fruitful, teemed, increased, and became strong – very, very much so; and the land became filled with them” (Shemos 1:7)

The Medrash (Yalkut Shemos 1) explains that “the land became filled with them” means that the Jews began patronizing the local cultural events. “The theaters and circuses were full of them,” states the Medrash.

Several years ago, Rav Matisyahu Salomon, mashgiach of Bais Medrash Govoah in Lakewood, quoted this Medrash during a shmuess in the yeshiva. We are told, “Chayov adam liros es atzmo ke’ilu hu yotzah miMitzrayim – One is required to view himself as if he had left Egypt.” When, asked Rav Salomon, did it become the minhag to act “ke’ilu hu yorad leMitzrayim,” as if one went down to Egypt? We need to make sure that we don’t assimilate, he said. The Medrash goes on to state that when the Egyptians saw this, they immediately imposed their decrees on the Jews in order to ensure that the proper distance was maintained.

Is a television court show the place for a frum Yid? In the past few weeks, there have been several instances of frum Jews being showcased in the secular media in unprecedented ways. Have we completely forgotten our place in the world? Has our value system become so infiltrated by the world around us? I understand that there may be personal reasons for what people do, as well as financial considerations. I am also unaware of whether or not any of the parties consulted with their rabbonim. I am therefore not judging them at all. Rather, my words should be taken as food for thought for the tzibbur.

A Jew should not feel proud of being in the secular media, especially while involved in litigation. It doesn’t matter if one is right or wrong. Wouldn’t forgoing financial benefits in order to maintain the essence of our value system be justified?

There most definitely is a time and place for Jews to be in the public eye. There are times when shatdlanus is needed for the klal and there are times when certain goals may justify it. In all these scenarios, the guidance of our gedolim is what determines what is acceptable and what is not. By no means, however, should there be any sense of pride in the fact that we can be like the nations. Going out into the world may, in some cases, be a necessary evil, but not something to be proud of.

There is a story related about the Alter of Slabodka. A talmid in the Slabodka Yeshiva went for an exam to determine whether or not he was fit to serve in the army. In order to be released, the talmid acted deranged. Upon his return to yeshiva, his friends were elated at his successful ploy. The Alter remarked, “Why are you so happy that he had to use sheker?” The joy should be only that he was released, said the Alter. Unfortunately, he had to use sheker, but it is not something to be proud of.

The same is true here. Sometimes we have to go out into the world, but it is not something to be proud of.

The Medrash tells us that Klal Yisroel was redeemed from Egypt in the merit of not changing their names, altering their dress, or adapting a foreign language. These three primary cultural differences maintained the Jews’ identity. It was only because they kept this distance that they merited being freed.

We must hold on tight to the values of our Yiddishkeit. We must cling to our Torah lifestyles and not become obsessed with acceptance in secular society. By staying separate, like the moon, we will only shine brighter. In the merit of doing so, may Hashem fulfill that which the novi says, “Ani Hashem kerosicha betzedek ve’achzeik beyodecha ve’etzorcha ve’etencha levris am le’or goyim – I am Hashem; I have called you with righteousness; I will strengthen your hand; I will protect you; I will set for a covenant to the people to be a light unto the nations” (Yeshaya 42:6).

Rabbi Rosenberg can be reached at [email protected].

{Reprinted with permission from the Yated Ne’eman}