Comments on: Al-Azhar’s modern twist on book burning

By: Baruch Spinoza

Baruch Spinoza — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:38:58 +0000

Rabbi “Tzvee” is prevaricating when he claims book-burning is an aberration in Judaism; a teen “prank” and not formally enjoined. It is a mitzvah to burn the books of the Minim (Christians). This was decreed by Chazal in the sacred texts of Judaism. Who does the rabbi think he is fooling?

By: tzvee

tzvee — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 03:56:47 +0000

no aziz, you got it right. i am an orthodox rabbi and i can tell you that we do not burn books. the nt incident was an aberration — a prank by some high school kids — condemned by all official jewish groups. the violent and belligerent official censorship that you report on is officially sanctioned, it is dangerous and entirely antithetical to the pluralism that we in west value.

By: Aziz El-Kaissouni

Aziz El-Kaissouni — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 11:00:40 +0000

Thanks for the note, Baruch. I wasn’t trying to be selective; it’s just I’m based in Cairo and that necessarily focuses my coverage.

By: Baruch Spinoza

Baruch Spinoza — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:37:46 +0000

Book-burning in Islam is a red letter note for westerners. Book burning in Orthodox Judaism, seemingly not. The Gemara requires that the books of the “heretics” be burned and this happened recently with the New Testament in Israeli territory. No selective indignation please. Thought control is integral to Orthodox Judaism.