Hate has gotten a bad rap in modern liberal society, but Rabbi Shmuley Boteach argues that hatred is a healthy moral instinct that can be a legitimate and necessary tool for fighting evil.
In this provocative and wide-ranging book, Shmuley Boteach makes the case for Kosher Hate, a seemingly paradoxical idea derived from Jewish theological tradition. In this startling and original defense of hatred as a moral response to evil, Boteach challenges the liberal notion that understanding and forgiveness are the appropriate response to evil deeds, arguing that this is merely a secularized version of the misguided Christian teaching—one that many Jews have embraced—that we must “turn the other cheek” and “love our enemies.” Instead, he maintains that it is Godly to hate evil and it is our duty to do everything we can to bring evildoers to justice. While forgiving petty slights is admirable, doing so with mass murder is an abomination. While loving our enemies is noble, this applies to those who steal our parking space or get our promotion at work. It does not apply to God’s enemies, those who engage in genocide and whose murderous ways destroy civilized living.
Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, named by Talkers Magazine as one of the 100 most important radio hosts in America, is a nationally syndicated talk show host, the international best-selling author of 15 books, and an acclaimed syndicated columnist.
A winner of the London Times highly prestigious "Preacher of the Year" award, Rabbi Shmuley has lectured and appeared in print, radio, and TV all over the globe. His radio show, "Rabbi Shmuley's Passion," airs daily on Bonneville Broadcasting in afternoon drive-time.
He is the author of a number of books, including "Kosher Sex: A Recipe for Passion and Intimacy," "Dating Secrets of the Ten Commandments," "Why Can't I Fall in Love," "Judaism for Everyone: Renewing your Life through the Vibrant Lessons of the Jewish Faith," and most recently, "Hating Women: America's Hostile Campaign Against the Fairer Sex." A winner of the annual "preacher of the year" contest sponsored by the Times of London, he was formerly rabbi of Oxford University.
Shmuley—he is known universally by his first name, has marketed himself as a rabbi to the stars and an expert on Jewish attitudes toward relationships and marriage. ("Dr. Ruth with a yarmulke," the Washington Post called him.)
An excellent book on how and why evil must and should be confronted. It was surprising on how relevant the people mentioned in this book are to our time. I learned about this book seeing the author on the Fox News Channel.