American college campuses tells us that we should not entertain the expectation that Jewish pain will be seen as equal nor that the blasphemous evil that caused it will be truly held to account . Nonetheless , bridge building is tactical and important . If Jewish pain is in the communal sphere of concern , even as an afterthought , that should be compared to our pain being completely overlooked . But again , while tactically important , this is insufficient . Bridge building has not stopped the current wave of antisemitism , even and especially in spaces and platforms where Jewish partnerships have planted decades of investment and allyship for the sakes of others .
Even where bridges continue to exist , the unfortunate reality is that Jewish homes still require doors .
So : Was the death of 75,000 Persians too high a cost for Jewish safety ? Was there another way to counter Haman ’ s evil ? Is political strategizing a Jewish mandate , a way of making sure we can close the doors when we must ? Does the assumption of necessary power inevitably corrupt ? Is there any option other than influencing power or gaining it ourselves ? Given the global endurance of antisemitism and its violent rhetoric and physical menace , can Jews face evil that cannot be avoided and also exercise power morally ?
It seems that Esther and Mordechai were kindred spirits with Rava : we do not rely on miracles . We must be of good courage and employ sound political strategy . Lives depend upon it .
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