A man who worked on the Biden campaign and transition tweeted in the wake of skyrocketing cases of antisemitic violence across the United States that American Jews could stop wearing items like kippahs and Magen David symbols if they feared for their lives.
Aaron Keyak, who notes in his Twitter and LinkedIn bios that he "led Jewish engagement for the Biden-Harris campaign and transition," wrote in a tweet Friday, "It pains me to say this, but if you fear for your physical safety take off your kippah and hide your magen david. Obviously, if you can, ask your rabbi first."
Linked to the tweet was an article written the same day from the Jewish Telegraph Agency highlighting recent experiences of antisemitism by American Jews and their tough decisions on whether to continue displaying symbols of their faith and culture for fear of being attacked.
It pains me to say this, but if you fear for your life or physical safety take off your kippah and hide your magen david. (Obviously, if you can, ask your rabbi first.) https://t.co/Dca2hpfY2s @shirahanau @BenjaminSales
— Aaron Keyak (@akeyak) May 21, 2021
"As footage of those attacks and others spreads online, American Jews say they are feeling a renewed anxiety around identifying themselves publicly as Jews. Some are taking off their kippahs or Star of David necklaces," the article reads. "Others, like Ricki, are considering the removal of their mezuzahs. Some are mulling whether it's safe to walk into synagogue."
Keyak added that "it's important that those who wear kippot don't feel more pressure to put our lives in unnecessary actual danger—especially when actions are attempting to be grounded in halacha. Given the rise in Jew hatred and antisemitic attacks, we must stand with all Jews."
It’s important that those who wear kippot don’t feel more pressure to put our lives in unnecessary actual danger — especially when actions are attempting to be grounded in halacha.
— Aaron Keyak (@akeyak) May 25, 2021
Given the rise in Jew hatred and antisemitic attacks, we must stand with all Jews.
Keyak continued in a thread to defend his statement, saying that human life comes first, and "almost any religious commandment can be broken in order to save the life of a human being."
"... commandments are, the start of the Torah foreshadows that saving human life will be more important. ... All of this was hotly debated in the medieval period because the basic idea of never having a commandment come at the expense of human life was so central. ...
— Aaron Keyak (@akeyak) May 25, 2021
"Our tradition just cannot conceive of it in a normal world. ... Meiri understood that pikuach nefesh is not a loophole. It is a way to view the sanctity of human life as central to our tradition, our society and our commandments."https://t.co/yWXeUgusGI @jewlearn
— Aaron Keyak (@akeyak) May 25, 2021
Keyak's initial tweet was met with backlash on Twitter, with some users, including Post Millennial editor Ari Hoffman, voicing a refusal to stand down or hide their religion in the face of danger and hatred.
Come and take it. I dare you
— Ari Hoffman (@thehoffather) May 26, 2021
That is your solution? To cower in fear? We don't get signs or rallies or donations from corporations, we get cowardice.
Imagine what this administration will be like if there is a terrorist attack https://t.co/WNN5ftKtMt
Even if your personal safety is at risk? Have you asked your rabbi?
— Aaron Keyak (@akeyak) May 21, 2021
You're joking. What about those of us in "obviously Jewish" communities? Should our men stop wearing black hats/suits? Shave their beards? I worry more about my husband walking alone at night because of how Cuomo, DiBlasio & Biden have handled things than I did under the Repubs
— Miana Hawkins-Shapiro #IDIC ?? (@AndorianShola) May 26, 2021
This you? pic.twitter.com/uHKV8C0SB6
— Jeremy Rovinsky (@RovinskyLaw) May 26, 2021
"She was asking for it with that short skirt." 2021 edition
— Attila the Honeybun (@AttilaSaysMeow) May 25, 2021
It pains me to say this , but you sound docile and submissive
— Eli Neuberger (@thevoos) May 25, 2021
Why won’t Biden ask his supporters to stop kicking the shit out of Jews? He doesn’t want to offend the Jihad Squad and the Hamas Caucus? What would you say if Trump supporters were assaulting Jews and a Trump campaign staffer told Jews to hide their religion? You’re a coward.
— Arthur Schwartz (@ArthurSchwartz) May 26, 2021
How dare you ask that? Before the Nazis shot a group of Jewish men, they took away their kippahs. One old man asked to be able to pray. He covered his head with his hand and said, "I thank you, God, that you made me a human being." And you want them to give them up freely?
— 1984 Is Today (@Tribble_Bait) May 25, 2021
Join and support independent free thinkers!
We’re independent and can’t be cancelled. The establishment media is increasingly dedicated to divisive cancel culture, corporate wokeism, and political correctness, all while covering up corruption from the corridors of power. The need for fact-based journalism and thoughtful analysis has never been greater. When you support The Post Millennial, you support freedom of the press at a time when it's under direct attack. Join the ranks of independent, free thinkers by supporting us today for as little as $1.
Remind me next month
To find out what personal data we collect and how we use it, please visit our Privacy Policy
