JERUSALEM (VINnews) — A post circulated on social media calling on Chareidim to attend the funeral of slain policeman Amir Ghory has gone viral, with thousands requesting to participate in Thursday’s funeral or to support the initiative.
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The post, written by settler Chanan Rubin, said that Ghory had bravely confronted the terrorist and died in the process. “I know there are many who say justifiably that there’s nothing to get excited about. This is how citizens and especially police, are expected to act. I know and yet I wish to say with some caution what I feel in my heart now, even if it is not politically correct
“It should be obvious but it isn’t. It’s not obvious that a person should charge down a terrorist to protect others, its not obvious that a Christian Arab would pay with his life for Jews and it is not obvious that the words “may G-d avenge his blood” be added to his name on Chareidi sites.
“A moment before we enter a new bloody phase of terror with Palestinians and Israeli Arabs, the heroism of people like Amir, his willingness to sacrifice his life – gives me much hope.”
Rubin’s initiative gained significant attention Wednesday, with Chareidim and even Arabs offering funding for buses to Nof Hagalil where Ghory will be buried. Rubin said he received 3000 NIS from an Arab in Beit Jan and many other similar contributions. Buses are leaving from Jerusalem and Bnei Brak to attend the funeral, called for 4 PM Thursday.
“I believe this will be an amazing picture of victory over terror. I hope that is what it will be,” he added.
This was not the first act of heroism exhibited by Ghory. A woman who knew him from Nazareth said that he had saved a Jewish man from drowning at a nature reserve and then was hit by other Arabs who criticized him for saving a Jew.
Based on this it would appear to be a mitzva to attend such a funeral but there are two issues which need to be addressed. Firstly, a Christian religious funeral may be considered Avodah Zarah and therefore those attending can accompany the deceased but should not be at the actual burial ceremony.
Moreover, Ghory had a Jewish girlfriend, also a police officer, and they had planned on marrying despite being of different faiths. Attending the funeral, in which she will take part and may even speak, could be seen as tacit acceptance of intermarriage, a scourge which Jews must oppose as it threatens our very existence as a Jewish nation. Thus it would make sense to accompany the cortege but then to stay back during the ceremony and not be seen as legitimating another faith or intermarriage.
Even this question is inappropriate THE MAN DIES SAVING YIDDEN WHAT KIND OF QUESTION IS THIS??? What about hakaras ha tov????
sometimes I wish the authors of these articles would post their contact information. As a person who lives where the Druze and Christians serve, I would encourage all to attend his funeral. This is a question of life and death. These non-Jewish officers put their lives on the line every day to protect the people who live here. We need to show our gratitude for their sacrifice. I am personally grateful for the Druze who guard the gates to the village where I live and keep us safe. We don’t have enough police and combat soldiers as it is and I would bet this author belongs to those who will not help fill that gap.
Yes we should all attend his funeral
hard to see where the problem in attending is? he saved Jewish lives and we owe him this kavod. Everything else is not relevant at this time. Unbelievable that there is even a question of attending.
I’m not a rabbi or halachic expert, but in my opinion, this man deserves the show of respect from the Bnei Brak community for his heroism. They shouldn’t, obviously, go into the church for the ceremony, but should show presence as respect.
I guess I’m thinking something like an honor guard like we see in the US when a police officer is gunned down. You can also see many chareidim at those in NY.
If they don’t, they will be committing a huge Chilul Hashem. Anyone who saves Jews is worthy of honor from all Jews, everywhere.
OK but the issue of whether or not Christianity is in fact A’Z has been debated for many centuries. There is a hesitancy to pasken that way because it is not clear that “in our days” we have “real” A’Z. Also, practically speaking, the halachik implications of making it A’Z are vast, e.g. doing business with them.
As for the intermarriage aspect, IMO this is not an issue. This is his funeral, not his wedding: I don’t think that this tacitly endorses intermarriage.
L’mayseh though I agree with you: accompany the cortege but do not participate in the ceremony.
It shouldn’t be anything more than IF a police officer gets killed while on duty in any Frum neighbored like Boro Park,Crown H,Flatbush,Wiiliamsburg,Lakewood etc etc.
Should we participate in funerals here than so be in Israel if not than so be there too.
I suppose they ought to attend only if they wish to show gratitude and support for the family. Otherwise, they ought not to attend.
The funeral has already occurred by the time this is posted but as long as the funeral wasn’t in a church there is nothing wrong in attending a funeral to show gratitude for the actions of the deceased and other non Jewish police officers who serve to protect.
Whether or not one can enter a church in todays time does not stop the question of attending the funeral or buriel.
Jews can line up outside the church in a showing of solidarity. Further- they can surely go to the cemetary and be there as they bury the body according to all poskim (maybe not some contemporary ones) see bava metzia 114a
“a Christian religious funeral may be considered Avodah Zarah”
Four prominent Rabbis attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II. Kal v’chomer someone who died trying to save Jews.
These subjects are all well stated here – good job. There is a popular adage that also comes to mind as appropriate in this: ‘moderation in all things’.
Must attend !!’
Not in a church , and not during Christian prayers . Besides that , Jews should attend
It is a chesed shel emes
I can not understand why a charadi should not go to the funeral of a man who gave his life to save yidden.
Whether there is an obligation, probably not, but it is definitely showing that we care.
After the HarNof attack in R’ Mordechai Rubin (another Rubin), he paid a condolence visit to the Beduin family of the police officer killed fighting the terrorist and profusely thanked them.
Interesting discussion on whether Chareidim should attend the funeral.
Now what should the rest of klal Yisrael do?
Could not have been stated any better! It is totally forbidden to enter a church, even on sight-seeing tours. Torah Law also states that Police should be married. When Druse police were being killed (in the “uprising” of 7-8 years ago) there were then also problems regarding their relations (Heaven save us!) with our daughters.