The story of Manny Waks makes sobering reading.
On one level, it’s just another story on covered up sexual abuse, and far less graphic than some others I have shared with you.
But, apart from the cultic nature of the Chabad sect of Judaism, I find this element of interest:
The rabbinic law of mesirah – the prohibition of a Jew informing on a fellow Jew to secular authorities – was used by leaders to keep victims silent, the commission heard. When victims did go to police, they were labelled mosers, or “informers”, a charge so serious they were threatened with exclusion so severe it was akin to being excommunication, which would mean being ripped away from a culture, identity, religion and community. It meant everything from marriage prospects to opportunities for religious honours would be forever taken away.
Now, if you look on the Internet, you will find many who argue that mesirah has outlived its usefulness. However, I am drawn to refer to the descriptions of Henry Ford in his writings in the Dearborn Independent, where he describes how the American Jewish community set up its own court processes and rallied to defend a Jewish person who was the subject of a court action, as is illustrated to have occurred more recently towards the end of this video. It is clear that this practice is alive and well, not only from Manny’s experience.
I quote further from this article:
It does not matter that peak Jewish bodies have publicly said the concept of mesirah does not, and should never, apply to cases of child sexual abuse. Even today, Waks says, victims remain fearful of being shunned.
“The fact that to this day I am the only victim who has been willing to be named should say plenty,” Waks says.
The peak Jewish bodies are not saying the practice should not continue, only that it should not apply in such a circumstance.
In other words, at least some elements of the Jewish community believe their fellow Jew is above the law of the land.
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