Beit Shemesh: Moving on with our lives?

I'm not going to pretend to have the wisdom to make any worthwhile comment about the recent events and political stirrings in beit shemesh. I never intended this website to host matters relevant to politics and the like,[particularly because I don't believe politics to be a worthwhile endavor (see R. Yona on Pirkei avos ch4)].  Understanding that few people are up-to-date with all that has been unfolding in the holy land, I think this post will mark a meaningful exception from my typical outlook.

 Essentially, I cannot help but feel outraged when a battle for achdus is being ignored. These turbulent waters can only be calmed with the willingness of an educated public to express its concerns over the present and voice its hopes for the future. Be it discussed at the dinner table, the street corner or an internet forum, these issues must not be tucked away into the annals of history without a clear understanding of how we should change.  While many of us may truly feel powerless over the development of such disturbing events, moments when fundamental Jewish ideals -- such as Zionism, women's right, human dignity and the unity of our people -- are at stake leave little excuse for passivity.

Ignorance is not an option concerning such reprehensible mistakes. And no, the spreading of this information is not lashon hara for the following (obvious) reasons:


1) Learning from our mistakes is vital to the development of morality and achuds of our people
2) It's public knowledge
3) Ignorance when discussing such matters can (and does) result in a chilul hashem
4) We cannot afford to let another chillul hashem like this occur in the future and education is the only means of prevention

I would recommend those wishing to learn about the true nature of what has been unfolding in beit shemesh see the following links:

                    The original news coverage (subtitled)

  

                    Rationalist Judaism: 

Likely the most relevant and unbiased development of recent events. With numerous links to more relevant articles, it is a great place to begin understanding the travesty taking place before us. Please begin with the oldest relevant article here and then move on to the newer posts