Two months ago, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad delivered his infamous hate speech to a 57 Islamic nation conclave. Lamenting Muslim decline, he blamed the Jews for Arabic foibles and failures. Mohamad shocked the world with his virulent diatribe, ranting and raving against Israel and the Jewish people. But Mohamad’s outburst certainly isn’t the first time that Jews are being scapegoated. Echoing the classic anti-semitic conspiracy theories, Mohamad declared that “Jews control the world” to the applause of all assembled.

Alarmed Jewish organizations rushed to the rescue and damage control. They took out big ads crying “Shame!” and issued statistical analyses to dispute Mohamad’s assumptions. They pleaded for apologies and retractions from world leaders, but the dearth of condemnations by the civilized
world was disappointing.

Mohamad’s incitement raises concerns, but much also depends on our response and reaction. We certainly should utilize diplomatic channels to make friends and build support for Israel and Jews, but (sorry, Soros) there’s obviously much beyond our control.

GOOD THINKING!
Our goal and purpose here is not a vengeful rampage to lambast Mr. Mohamad, as he himself observed our secret of success: "We are up against a people who think. The Jews survived 2,000 years of pogroms not by hitting back, but by thinking.”

Despite his venom and jealousy, Mr. Mohamad gave us a backhanded compliment that we’re good at thinking, so let’s take note of it. But rather than getting obsessed with how mullahs think of us, we ought to focus more on how we should think of ourselves.

CONTROL FREAKS
A psychoanalysis of “control freaks” reveals that it is actually men like Mohamad who want to control the world. When things don’t go their way, they truly feel that they are being controlled by others. In their continuous efforts to eradicate Israel, our enemies are huffing and puffing to blow our little house down. Mohamad and his cohorts are thus frustrated and exasperated that their Intifadas and Jihads have failed to eliminate us.

Consistently shooting themselves in the foot, they are now totally blowing themselves apart in a suicidal mission. Besides killing and maiming thousands of innocent men, women and children, including babies in strollers, Mohamad had to admit that their suiciders accomplished nothing.

QUALITY CONTROL
While there’s only so much we can do beyond our realm, we can and should do better within ourselves. The major issue of “World Control” is in their heads; it is primarily their problem, not ours. But there are important control issues that are definitely our problem and concern.

In view of demographic studies showing a diminishing Jewish population, we ought to upgrade control of our destiny to put our own house in order.

Let’s work to increase our physical numbers, and our spiritual continuity with more quality control of Jewish education in schools, synagogues and on university campuses.

Mohamad thundered: “The Jews invented socialism, communism, human rights and democracy so that persecuting them would seem wrong.”

Mohammad doesn’t know it, but Torah is really what makes us think. Jewish Tradition is the real secret of our national survival and longevity.

Torah is the basis for our sensitivity and orientation to human rights, moral tradition and is the fountainhead of universal justice and law. We don’t pretend to have invented these lofty ideals, for we learned them at Sinai. Mohamad boasts that they can rabble-rouse a billion people; but that doesn’t make them right.

True, we are fewer in number, but the Torah teaches us and experience has shown the advantage of quality over quantity. This is most appropriate now as we celebrate the miracle of Chanukah, when a little light dispelled darkness and the few triumphed over the many.

As terrorism spins out of control into chaos and confusion, may the final Redemption usher in a better world of peace and harmony where everything will be under control.

© 2003 Rabbi Israel Rubin