Coming under fire for a controversial article in this week’s Hebrew magazine, Mishpacha Magazine explains the article was misunderstood.
The magazine on Friday morning 17 Cheshvan explains the column by Aryeh Erlich that came under fire on chareidi radio along with print and electronic media around the world was not understood as it was intended.
The explanation begins with the headline “We are all brothers”, explaining that today “The State of Israel including the chareidi tzibur is under murderous attack by barbaric terror that does not differentiate between us. We are all brothers and share the same fate”.
Mishpacha continues, explaining the column intends to reveal the Palestinian lie that claims the reason for the wave of terror is the increased Jewish presence on Har Habayis when in fact, they continue murdering Jews out of hate without any distinction between those who do and do not visit the holy site.
The explanation adds the magazine’s derech as a chareidi publication is one of halacha and therefore its policy is to object to visiting Har Habayis however Mishpacha does not make a distinction between one Jew and another “as we stand shoulder to shoulder in this battle with all of Am Yisrael, davening for peace for the nation and IDF soldiers defending Israel”.
“As Jews, we believe we are responsible for one another, regardless of belief and opinion. We are saddened our words were misunderstood and will act to avoid a reoccurrence in the future”.
Clarification from English Mishpacha:
The op-ed column by Aryeh Erlich published in the Hebrew Mishpacha did not appear in the English Mishpacha. While the two Mishpacha brands are under the same ownership, they each have completely separate Editorial Boards, each of which has its own autonomy over the editorial policies and decisions of their respective publication. The column under discussion does not reflect the English Mishpacha’s views on the issues in question.
In response to the inquiries about this column, Mishpacha’s Hebrew publication released the following statement:
We are all Brothers
The State of Israel, and the Chareidi community, currently find themselves under a fatal reign of terror that doesn’t discern between one person to the next. We are all brothers, and we share the same circumstances when facing those who seek to harm us.
The op-ed that was published this week in the Hebrew Mishpacha seeks to expose the falsehood in the Palestinians’ claims that the reason for the terror is the practice of Jews going up to Har HaBayis – when in fact, they kill Jews from sheer hatred, without any differentiation between those who go up to Har HaBayis and those who don’t.
As a Chareidi publication that operates according to halacha, we oppose the practice of going up to Har HaBayis.
As a Chareidi publication that operates according to halacha, we do not differentiate between Jews. We are in this conflict shoulder to shoulder with the entire Am Yisrael, and together we daven for peace over our People, and for the welfare of the IDF soldiers.
As Jews, we believe in mutual accountability amongst all Jews, regardless of outlook and opinion.
As a Publication, we deeply regret printing a column that was misunderstood, and apologize for the distress and offense it caused among our fellow Jews, collectively and individually. Furthermore, we will take the necessary measures to prevent this kind of error in the future.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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5 Responses
In any event, both the Hebrew and especially the English Mishpacha’s have long held a liberal point of view on religious matters and questions. To call the magainze “chareidi” is hardly justified. They are at most borderline and indeed are across from chareidi views.
I read the article. There was no misunderstanding. Just retract the article and regret offending people, but no need deny the article’s clear message. It was pretty clear.
Generally I have misshpacha to be much more Tzioni than chareidi
You have to laugh at the discussion of who and what is Chareidi and are they Chareidi enough. The whole thing gets absurd.
In any event, Mishpacha or any other magazine should have writers that can make their point clearly and professionally. It shouldn’t take two pages to clarify a point. It will be misunderstood 100% of the time.
State the position or premise up front and then come at it from any angle you choose.
The fault is both the author and the editors and does play into a stereotype, leading to a serious misunderstanding.
“I’m all in favour of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Let’s start with typewriters.”
Frank Lloyd Wright