On the "Mosque"

We should not oppose the Cordoba House project for Lower Manhattan.  There are plenty of reasons and lots of ink and hot air out there on the subject.  One of the best arguments I've seen for NOT opposing a mosque at Ground Zero is that this is neither a mosque nor is it at Ground Zero.  I have kept out of the fray until now mostly because I've been on vacation but I also wanted be more sure of the facts about the proposed Islamic center in Lower Manhattan.  Jon Stewart offered one of the best rebuttals of opposition to mosque:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Mosque-Erade
www.thedailyshow.com
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I do believe that opposition to this project is contrary to the values of America and the principles of the Constitution.  I also believe that Jewish teachings keep us from opposing the Islamic center.  Chapter 2 of Telushkin's Code of Jewish Ethics, Vol. 2, offers a good concise review of traditional Jewish teachings on the subject of "Jews and Non-Jews."  The entire volume explores the commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself."  Some of the teachings, laws and principles he cites include:

You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt (Exodus 22:20)
Do not stand by while your neighbor's blood is shed (Lev. 19:16)
The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens, you shall love him as yourself. (Lev. 19:34)
Ben Zoma used to say: Who is wise? One who learns from every person. (Pirke Avot 4:1)

Other scholars who I trust and admire have lent their support to the center's cause.  Rabbi David Ellenson, my teacher and the rabbi who ordained me, wrote an article that has been widely distributed in favor of the center.

This Friday at services I will lead a discussion about a very specific dynamic in the debate over the mosque: why it is wrong to group all Islam and all Muslims together and why we can not, according to Judaism, hold a grudge against all Muslims forever because of 9/11.