Belated Reflections on Rabbi Meir Dovid Kahane (H"YD)

" Thou comest to me with a sword and a spear and a shield, but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the G-d of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast humiliated."

Eighteen years ago, the Scholar-Warrior, Rabbi Meir Dovid Kahane (HY'D), was murdered in the service of the Almighty's name, by an Amalekite beast of the Ishmaelite persuasion. The trauma of that ghastly day still hasn't healed, and we are unlikely to see such a man again in our lifetime, until the Messiah comes.

Rabbi Kahane was a throwback to the Judges and Prophets who periodically rose up to lead the people of Israel. He epitomized the very essence of mesirat nefesh, self-sacrifice at the cost of one's life, the acceptance of the Yoke of Heaven, and the willingness to speak the truth, even if the masses stone you. Rabbi Kahane really loved Jews, a love that saw him sacrifice and endanger his life to prove his love for them. He had an allergic reaction to the desecration of G-d’s name. Whenever Jews were in danger, Rabbi Kahane rose up to wage war with the oppressors of Israel in the manner of King David. It did not matter who the enemy was, or what his perceived strength was. Rabbi Kahane was fueled by the spirit of the Lord, and nothing would deter him from his mission. Whether it was the Godless Soviets who tried to eclipse the soul of Soviet Jewry, Nazis and Black Panthers in America, or the Arab jackals who butcher our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land, Rabbi Kahane faced them all. The feeble minded masses and self-appointed leaders who condemned him knew nothing of Torah, were disingenuous when it came to addressing the issues he raised, and worst of all, were afraid to debate him on the issues. Every Jew who condemned Rabbi Kahane was a silent partner in the murder of fellow Jews. The self-righteous Rabbis who condemned will have to answer to the Almighty for the blood that stains their hands.

We must continue to spread his message. Rabbi Kahane may be gone, but even in death the righteous live on. And of course let us not forget the Arab beasts whose very presence contaminates the land. The Halacha hasn't changed. They still must go!