Cynical abuse of a symbol of faith
Opinion: No one should condone the use of the Jewish religious head covering, which acts as a reminder that God is above us, by those who falsely present themselves as pious Jews when in reality they are linked to amoral and criminal behavior of the worst kind
The white satin kippahs on the heads of the boys who were cleared of rape accusations after an orgy in Cyprus were seen from afar. There was no escaping their gleaming light.
The kippah on the head of Netanel Sandrosi - charged in the hit-and-run that killed an 11-year old boy - also shone bright as he walked the red carpet laid out in honor as he returned to his home and adoring family. Posting on Instagram, he even added some lofty words of praise: "Blessed art Thou, Lord who sets captives free."
There are those who saw the white kippah and reverted to dormant prejudices and hatred of religious and orthodox communities. Some were annoyed at the desecration of the religious symbol, but others drew comfort from seeing people turn to their faith in a time of need, hoping for a connection with the community that adheres to it.
But the use of the kippah by the partying teens and the alleged hit-and-run driver is nothing but an imitation of a criminal subculture, whose biggest offenders are the murderers and rapists who don the white kippah as they are led into court to appear before a judge.
This use of the kippah is not an expression of faith or culture. It is a slap in the face of Jewish tradition, which believes in God's presence in daily life even for those who are not observant.
By falsely portraying this moral stand these criminals cynically attempt to evoke public emotion,flashing their kippah, which should be a reminder to fear God, they present a false certificate of Kashrut, as if calling on God to be a witness for the defense.
It is prohibited to take the name of the Lord in vain, and that should be considered not only through the spectrum of religion, but rather in a broader perspective.
A Jew will not take the name of the Lord in vain because in a complex and intimate relationship such as exists between a Jewish believer and their God, there is respect as well as a fear of sin.
Choosing a white satin kippah either in prison or in celebration of moral depravation is an affront to any person of faith, because there is no intent to repent or ask for forgiveness by the offenders, as the foundations of Judaism would prescribe.
They are using it merely for the purpose of ratings, and a photo opportunity.
When our parents' generation whispered that someone was not Jewish, they did not mean that person did not fulfil the religious laws; they meant that person's behavior was unethical. "Being Jewish" in the religious, traditional and cultural sense means being a decent human being who is respectful of others. Not what one would find in the recent white kippah and champagne celebrations.
Some of us keep a kippah in our cars just to use in weddings or funerals. Some will throw a napkin on top of our heads just to say a blessing over the wine on Friday night and then watch a game of football.
These fleeting moments of reflection and prayer are beautiful and void of even a hint of cynicism. They are manifistations of a culture and a tradition.
Their cynical use by the criminal world is evil. It must be condemned and never accepted or forgiven.
