Ask Rabbi Dan
by Rabbi Dan S. Wiko PhD
Schmel asks:
Please help me....it's been on my mind...do you feel that the
term " the schwatza's " would be deemed as offensive in today's world ?.. I know
there are words that Jews take as being offensive and hate like .
In a nutshell- would a black who knew what the term was used as--- i.e.: the
black community...or the -negative element in that sector- feel the way a Jew
would if a catch phrase was directed at he or she...
Of course-you aren't Black but then again- neither am I.
Dear Schmel,
The term "Schwartzah" is highly offensive to a person of color and a sad
statement about the person using it.
Ideally, we see no such differentiation as the color of one's skin, nationality
or religion. There is one race and that is the human race. It contains, within
it, all shades of color, personality, beliefs, etc.
Beyond all the so-called reasons for separation, there is none at all. We are
all from one creator and should accept that, in his divine wisdom, he created
each of us equal but unique.
Shalom
