On the march with Pirkei Avot

Yesterday an estimated crowd of some 100,000 people took to the streets of Central London in a march to condemn antisemitism. Many of the marchers were Jewish but their numbers were supplemented by others who, though not Jewish themselves, were concerned at the recent frightening tolerance of Jew-hatred in the British Isles.

For the benefit of non-British readers, let me explain. Jews have been in Britain for centuries and, while retaining their independent identity, they have long formed part of the fabric of British society.  Following a steep and unprecedented rise in reported antisemitic incidents, and with a sudden open articulation by many people of openly anti-Jewish and anti-Israel sentiments, many members of this small Jewish population – estimated to be no more than 270,000 souls – fear for their safety and question whether there is still a long-term future for them in the United Kingdom. This fear has been amplified by loss of confidence in the integrity and neutrality of the BBC, whose error-filled and partisan reporting of events has been so painstakingly chronicled and called out again and again by the US-based non-profit organization Honest Reporting.

Yesterday’s demonstration, in keeping with Jewish ethos, was peaceful and respected the large police presence that had been provided in case of trouble. The demonstrators did not call for anyone’s death or destruction, but rather for an end to the tolerance of antisemitism and for the release of the 200+ hostages currently held in Gaza.

Significantly, the demonstrators paused by the Cenotaph to sing the National Anthem.

At Avot 3:2, Rabbi Chanina segan HaKohanim teaches:

הֱוֵי מִתְפַּלֵּל בִּשְׁלוֹמָהּ שֶׁל מַלְכוּת, שֶׁאִלְמָלֵא מוֹרָאָהּ, אִישׁ אֶת רֵעֵֽהוּ חַיִּים בְּלָעוֹ

[Translation] “Pray for the integrity of the government [literally “kingdom”]; for if it were not for the fear of its authority, a man would swallow his neighbour alive”.

Jewish communities in the United Kingdom have long incorporated this into their Shabbat morning prayers. An English-language version recited in many synagogues opens as follows:

“He who gives salvation to kings and dominion to princes, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, may He bless:

Our sovereign lord King Charles,
Our gracious Queen Consort Camilla,
The Prince and Princess of Wales,
And all the Royal Family.”

This prayer then asks God to put a spirit wisdom and understanding into the hearts of the King and all his counsellors, so that they should deal kindly and justly with all the House of Israel.

It seems to me that it is entirely fitting that, even at a mass public demonstration such as we saw yesterday, it is appropriate for the country’s Jews to acknowledge the debt they owe, as residents in a country that does not belong to them, to the forces of law and order that have hitherto been both able and willing to protect them. We pray that they will continue to do so for as long as is necessary.