Over forty years ago I read an article that told the true story about a Rabbi and a neo-Nazi skinhead. It left quite an impression on me.
A Rabbi and his family moved from the East to Idaho to lead a small congregation that was just beginning to grow. He had no idea what to expect but assumed all would be well because his practitioners were excited to meet them. The family settled in quickly to their new home and synagogue, but all was not well. Within a few days of their arrival, the local neo-Nazi group made it perfectly clear they were not wanted.
One of the leaders, a known skinhead in the area, thrived on torturing the new family, especially the Rabbi. Whenever he would see him, he would taunt him with antisemitic remarks and threats. The skinhead was very good at gathering others to assist him with his terrorism. They beat him, threw eggs at him, held him down to cut his beard, and even torched his home. The terror continued for over a year.
The Rabbi's family wanted to leave and go back home, but the Rabbi refused. Every time he was abused, the Rabbi would not fight back. He would look at his perpetrator straight in the eye and take whatever he was dishing out. The more the Rabbi held to his nonfighting stance, the more it enraged the skinhead.
One day, the Rabbi noticed a few days had passed and he wasn't being threatened. It surprised him as he wondered why the skinhead had suddenly stopped. The Rabbi heard through neighbors that the man who inflicted pain for over a year was very sick, lived alone, and was isolated from everyone. The Rabbi did the unthinkable; he prepared a bowl of soup and sandwich and walked over to the skinhead's house. When he knocked on the door, the sick man looked at him, took the food and threw it in his face. The Rabbi walked home and did the exact same thing every day for a month; and the skinhead did his exact same thing too. The Rabbi was determined to break down the skinhead's hateful determination with kindness.
Eventually, the ill man took the food but would not thank him. Slowly, the two men began to look into the other's eye with gratitude. One day the skinhead invited the Rabbi inside his home. They broke bread together and began having a conversation. Every day the Rabbi visited the skinhead, and every day they communed with food. The Rabbi listened deeply to a grown man's story of a very disturbing childhood. The Rabbi administered therapy and wisdom, and soon they became friends. The skinhead left his hate group and befriended the Rabbi's family and congregation. He began to understand that his hatred was really hatred for himself. For the first time in his life, he was included and felt lighthearted, because he was loved. And ironically by the Jewish community. He became their greatest defender and advocate for peace.
When the Rabbi was asked, "How did you have the courage to approach the man who tortured you?", the Rabbi replied, "Forgiveness. I knew if I could reveal his light within, he would heal."
What a great true story, right? It inspires hope, and of course a reminder to "kill them with kindness", and "forgive them for they know not what they do." If a Rabbi and a neo-Nazi skinhead can heal their differences, perhaps Democrats and Republicans can too. After all, we all want and need connection, love and light. It's never too late to live happily ever after.
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A beautiful, inspiring story of forgiveness.
Such a timely and needed lesson. True Forgiveness and empathy can inspire great change!