In an unprecedented move for modern times, the Russian
General Prosecutor ordered an investigation of whether the
Shulchan Oruch incites against non-Jews in Russia,
according to a report in Izvestia, the unofficial
organ of the Russian government, as quoted in
Ha'aretz. Late on Tuesday, the Russian prosecutor announced
that the investigation was closed, but observers remained
somewhat skeptical.
The Russian General Prosecutor also issued instructions to
investigate whether to outlaw the entire Jewish religion and
all Jewish organizations operating in Russia. The move is the
first official government articulation of strong antisemitic
sentiments that are increasingly prevalent and evident in the
upper strata of Russian society.
Last Thursday Zinovi Kogen, director of the Congress of
Religious Communities which published the Kitzur Shulchan
Oruch, was summoned for questioning at the General
Prosecutor's office. He was called back for further
questioning this past Sunday 19 Sivan to ascertain who was
behind the translation and distribution of the Kitzur
Shulchan Oruch. Although nobody claims the halochos are
directed specifically against non-Jewish Russians, the
General Prosecutor is relying on Russian regulations against
racism. The complaint to the General Prosecutor states that
the Legal Book of the Jews includes racist laws directed
against non-Jews.
The imaginary libel was first publicized in January in a
letter written by a group of 500 prominent individuals in one
of Russia's reactionary, nationalistic newspapers. Signed by
"intellectuals" and members of the Duma (parliament), the
call, reminiscent of the lies published in The Protocols
of the Elders of Zion which was also disseminated in
Russia under the Czar, claimed that Judaism is a racist
religion that instigates hatred of non-Jews. As evidence the
writers cited the Kitzur Shulchan Oruch, which was
apparently brought to their attention by figures unhappy with
the broad success enjoyed by a newly-published translation
into Russian that has brought many Jews closer to their
heritage. These figures apparently brought the work to the
attention of the general authorities.
Those who submitted the original petition in January
retracted it and submitted a second one about a month later,
this time with 5,000 signatures.
The Duma members who signed the call belong to Rodina, a self-
styled "Nationalist-Socialist" which is what the Nazi Party
called itself in its early stages.
Government officials in Jerusalem view Kogen's interrogation
as something that must not pass in silence. They said that
for state officials to question a Jewish religious leader on
the content of religious writings is "an event the likes of
which cannot be recalled for decades, not in Russia and not
in other countries with which Israel has diplomatic ties."
What makes the case even worse in Israel's view is that the
Russian Foreign Ministry has until now ignored requests for
an explanation of the interrogation.
Kogen denied all the accusations. He said the Russian
translation of the book, printed in three editions in 1999,
2000 and 2004, with a print run of a total of about 5,000
copies, "is meant to cultivate respect toward other religions
and peoples."
Knesset Protests
"The Knesset will not allow the antisemitic revelations in
other parts of the world to drop from the agenda. Every
antisemitic ruffian should know the Nation of the Jews will
not allow the days of blood libels, when the Jewish people
were subject to plunder, to ever return," said Knesset
Chairman Reuven Rivlin at the opening of Monday's plenum
meeting in reaction to the official investigation of the
Shulchan Oruch ordered by the Russian General
Prosecutor.
"We are aware of the official condemnations in Russia,
including those by the two houses of parliament in Russia,
against the harsh antisemitic libel signed, among others, by
members of the Russian parliament, but condemnations—as
we see anew time and again—are not enough."
He expressed hopes no Russian officials are involved in the
new blood libel against the Jewish people. "Antisemitism is
first and foremost a malignant disease that harms the society
in which it develops. Every democratic society must
internalize the universal lesson that Europe and the whole
world learned from the rise of Nazi Germany and the terrible
price paid in blood. Democracy must defend itself against
those who threaten it if it wants to survive."
In conclusion he said the Knesset will continue to keep a
close watch on the issue "out of concern and an approach of
zero tolerance for these grave antisemitic revelations."
Even Shinui Chairman MK Tomi Lapid joined the condemnation of
the Russians, saying if Jewish holy books were investigated,
incitement against Jews in Christian writings must also be
investigated.
