Q&A: Reciting Shema Yisrael in a Mosque
Reciting Shema Yisrael in a Mosque
Question
Hello Rabbi,
What do you think about the case of the soldiers who recited Shema Yisrael inside a mosque? I heard the opinion that since on 10/7 the fighters came in the name of Islam, it is therefore fitting to humiliate the Islam in whose name they are fighting against us.
Best regards,
Answer
I think it isn't appropriate to do that, because it is a humiliation of Islam in general. But in my view it's really not a big deal. There is of course also a practical consideration (how much damage it will cause).
Discussion on Answer
I wasn't talking about a halakhic prohibition. I wrote that it isn't appropriate. And if I dared, I would say that this falls under "What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow" (and yes, I know—"your fellow" means one who shares Torah and commandments).
Rabbi Kook writes
that "Love your fellow as yourself"
also applies between nations.
Not to do to another people what we would not want them to do to us.
(and yes, he knew—"your fellow" means one who shares Torah and commandments)
With God's help, 6 Tevet 5784
In essence, "Shema Yisrael" is the recitation corresponding to the shahada in the mosque, in which the believer testifies that "there is no god but Allah." After all, both Judaism and Islam advocate pure monotheism. The disagreement concerns their statement that "Muhammad is the messenger of God," which Judaism does not accept, but rather believes that the Torah of Moses is eternal.
Even so, it seems to me that IDF soldiers are not supposed to be engaging in "interfaith dialogue," but should leave such dialogue to the leaders of the religions, who can discuss among themselves ways to strengthen faith against heresy and atheism, and the shared need to fight against savages who exploit religion to justify acts of cruel slaughter and rape.
Best regards, Fish"l
And the fighters' version:
In the article "They used us and threw us away — the fighters in the mosque in Jenin tell what really happened there," on the Srugim website.
Why—is there a prohibition against humiliating Islam?