There is no doubt that the actions of the six anti-religious activists in K'far Chabad were provocative, inciting, and enraging.
The argument they tried to make, as though they are permitted to do such actions in K'far Chabad because we go to non-religious neighborhoods and hold activities there, is pure demagoguery. We never have and never will hold provocative, inciting activities or distribute pamphlets which belittle the values held and people revered by those to whom we come.
We would never conceive of entering an educational institution without permission and there hold activities whose goal was to shake the foundations and values of the education given by the institution.
Therefore any comparison between the activities of Chabad and the provocative actions of the anti-religious activists is an insult to the common sense.
Thankfully, the general public also knows the difference. Even those who are not fans of Chabad or of Charedi Judaism in general have been repulsed by the crass and provocative actions of Shinui activists (or whatever they are calling themselves) and have justified their removal from town.
But even so, we may tell ourselves that the forceful reaction was a mistake.
We do not want to have anything to do with violence of any sort. We do not want violent zealotry. We have been taught to love Jews, and that doesn't exactly fit with raising a hand against a Jew, no matter what the circumstances.
Tactically, too, it was a mistake. From a certain viewpoint we played into our enemy's hands. The fact is, this action jumped to the headlines and news broadcasts. We had to invest a lot of time and trouble in explanations, and after all the explanations, we're still not comfortable with the unpleasant image of violence which has been stuck upon us. This should not be our message to the people of Israel, even if we were right.
We're screaming about the past, but we have to learn lessons for the future.
First, this episode should show each and every one of us that Chabad Chassidim are always on display. Every action, even a local and private action, can echo from one end of the country to the other and even get abroad. This means that every action must be weighed not only on a local scale, but also for the public and media implications it may have.
Second, we may come upon similar episodes in the future, and we must be much more restrained. Restraint is required of each and every person, young and old, including women and children. We must also be more aware of our surroundings and prevent hot-heads from reacting precipitously.
There are several things we should do in such a situation.
For example, last Chanukah a group of Meretz teenagers came to K'far Chabad to give us jelly doughnuts. We received them nicely, with true love of our fellow Jews, and even sang and made merry with them. Perhaps then came to curse, but instead went out blessing and being blessed.
A different reaction was called for this Nissan 11, when a group of Meretz adults came to K'far Chabad with signs and provocative cat-calls. We made sure there would be no contact between them and the residents, we distanced those who really wanted to argue with them or fight them, and simultaneously we called the police. The situation ended quietly, and when the demonstrators saw that they had nothing to do here, they left.
We could have done the same thing this week. A few responsible people should have prevented contact between the anti-religious activists and the residents, the teens and the children, while calling the police, who would have escorted the activists out.
Another choice would have been for someone to invite them to his house for a real Chassidic festive assembly. Perhaps then they would have left here as have so many thousands of Jews who came, full of questions, and left on the path to religion.
But blows? Even if they deserved them, it's not the role our rabbis designated for us.
From the K'far Chabad newsletter