Rabbi Cooper's Letters

August 6, 2019 / 5 Av 5780

Dear Friends,

Responses in Israel to the mass shootings in Texas and Ohio have been emphatic, empathetic, and, I would say, ironic.  When news of the shootings reached Israeli homes, the immediate responses were expressions of pain and sorrow.  The numbers of dead and injured are staggering.  Israelis, no strangers to domestic terrorism, have not been jaded by personal experience. On the contrary, in both news reports and on the street, Israelis empathize with the pain of those who have suffered loss or injury. Israelis, together with all Americans and with good people everywhere, express horror at these senseless and horrific crimes against innocent and defenseless people. 

Responses from America, however, include an additional component: Anger.  The anger expressed is generated by the inability and/or unwillingness of the government to take substantive, active and positive steps directed against those who would perpetrate such crimes.  It is not possible to completely eradicate the threat of a lone gunman; but that does not mean that steps cannot be taken.  

Pundits and “experts” have written about commonalities between the personalities of the shooters.  They have pointed out how individuals who become shooters typically exist on the fringes of society, lonely outcasts who, most likely, are in need of psychological intervention and treatment. 

The need for recognizing mental illness as something real and psychological support as a medical necessity could be one response of our government.  By denying full medical coverage for the treatment of mental illness, medical insurance plans and Congress are misunderstanding the medical components of mental illness.  They underestimate the serious ramifications that can result, some of which we have seen over these past few days, when mental illness is left untreated. 

In addition, the time is long overdue for a response that begins at the Office of the President.  I have said before that some of the current problems we are facing are not the fault of the President, but they are his responsibility.  I believe that this is such a case. The President cannot be blamed for what has occurred.  However, this is the time when the President can meaningfully and powerfully assume the responsibility to comfort, to reassure, and to make a pledge to the families of the victims of the most recent shootings and the families who have lost loved ones to gun violence.

At moments like this, we, as Americans, must, and do, come together to support and comfort one another.  We should expect no less from our elected officials, beginning with the President, whose solemn oath to protect the People of the United States, must be fulfilled. Common sense gun legislation is an easy place to start, but it is not the place to end. 

The Second Amendment to the Constitution is clear in proclaiming that Americans have the right to bear arms.  That right was ensconced in the Constitution as a way of reassuring Americans that they could defend themselves and defend American democracy if there were nefarious forces attempting to re-establish a monarchy.  That fear may have been real when the Constitution was adopted.  It is no longer a real fear.  Today, we share a different fear: the fear of being gunned down in a mall, in a school, or in a bar. 

Experts in Constitutional Law surely understand more deeply than I the history and ramifications of the Second Amendment.  From a religious and moral point of view, however, there must be a change, constitutionally or otherwise, to adopt more restrictive laws regarding those who may purchase guns, the kinds of guns that may be purchased, and the number of guns that an individual may own.

These issues were addressed early in Israel’s statehood.  In Israel, one cannot purchase a gun unless:

1.       There is a danger, real and demonstrable, which justifies one’s need to purchase a gun for personal protection and

2.       One must have extensive training in the use of firearms through service in Israel’s Army, the IDF.

Need, training, and fitness are common to those who own guns in Israel.  These notions should be a part of discussions throughout our country and in Congress. 

When Israelis speak of domestic terrorism, they think of suicide bombers, attacks against soldiers, and “vehicular” terrorism. Israel is always on alert for attacks, and over the past nearly three decades, created barriers, check-points and security checks in every public building, store, and restaurant.  Security in Israel is highly effective, though it is still possible for attacks to occur. 

When news of these most recent attacks in the US reached Israel, however, Israelis responded with an ironic twist.  They say, in one way or the other, “I would be frightened to go the US.” Having heard this excuse for Americans not visiting Israel, I find it ironic, if not humorous, that Americans are still afraid to visit Israel.  To that cohort, I note the following:

1.       Unlike the US, Israel has been dealing steadily with this problem for decades.  Most recently, new protocols for restaurants and bars were put in place to create an additional level of security. 

2.       Unlike the US, it is the Israeli army, the IDF, which maintains a continuous high level of alert for the ongoing war on terrorism. 

3.       Unlike the US, where people are afraid, for good reason, to go to the mall or any gathering, Israelis are not afraid.  They trust their government to assure that they are safe.  And they are.  An Israeli is not afraid to walk at night on any street throughout the country.

One can easily find irony in the fact that it is now Israelis who are afraid to go to the US, fearing random, unprovoked violence.  Americans, for the past 30 years, have expressed their fears about traveling to Israel.  Now, it is time for Americans to re-evaluate.

Shalom from Israel,

Neil