Max Frankel was an editor of the New York Times. Ten years old, Frankel arrived in New York in 1940 with his mother, fleeing Hitler’s gas chambers. In his autobiography, The Times of My Life, he could not understand why world leaders were silent on the extermination of the Jews of Europe and Germany in particular. He was expecting to see screaming headlines in the newspapers but there were none. He noted that several Jews were major shareholders of these newspapers and they avoided reporting on the Jews for fears of losing their readership.
Even Britain was silent on the hostility against the Jews arriving in Palestine for fear of jeopardizing its relationship with the Arab world. No European government called out the persecution of Jews for fear running the risk of further antagonizing Hitler. As for the Americans they were aloof and became involved in the war only after the bombing of Pearl Harbour by the Japanese.
While dharma or truth will always triumph in the long run, the reality is that human beings put self-interest first. People weigh their losses and gains before they act and they usually act in the direction to bring benefits to themselves. These powers had to make a choice between the Jews and Hitler and they were silently supporting the latter. They were no different from the German industrialist class who saw business opportunities with the rise of Hitler.
People choose the weddings and the funerals they go to. It is not about paying respect to the dead and the contributions made but more so his social status in the society. Even yagyas are attended depending on the social status of the host. The host’s dedication and commitment to dharma is secondary. It is his money, family connections and place of residence that dictate attendance by the status conscious Hindus.
I know of pandits who would turn down poor families who request a pooja for fear of not getting a good dakshina and seedha. More than that, these pandits want to have chelas of a certain status and would not be seen going beneath. Nevertheless, I am proud to shout out that Swami Prakashananda, Spiritual Head of the Chinmaya Mission, has reached out to all who ask for his services irrespective of their social background. I was happy to attend a Bhagavad Yagya with Pandit Haresh of Caroni officiating. Though the family was living on the line, and the yagyashala was cramped, Pandit Haresh delivered his kathas with full exuberance.
Few care for the weak and the persecuted. The Jews understand what it is to stand alone, hence their unrelenting drive to excel in business and academia. The Jewish State of Isreal is uncompromising on its security and would not subcontract it to other nations. The Jews know how to stand on their own feet and fight their enemies.
Social inequality is a fact of life. Those who have the strength to put dharma above social status are blessed. As for the others, they are cursed. Their presence in the community is not to contribute to the growth of society, but to suck its blood to edify their fragile egos. No wonder their presence is a nuisance and their contribution is so little, almost zero.
