Shlomo Riskin - Definition and Overview

Shlomo Riskin was an influential Rabbi and founder of the Lincoln Square Synagogue in New York City. He worked to draw attention to and support the underground Jews of Soviet Russia, established the Ohr Torah High Schools in the United States, and supported the Jewish presence in Israel.

Biography

Rabbi Riskin was was born on May 28, 1940 in Brooklyn, New York.

He graduated from Yeshiva University in 1960, and became an ordained Rabbi from Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik.

In 1963, Rabbi Riskin received his Masters degree in Jewish history.

In 1982, Rabbi Riskin received his Ph.D. from New York University's Near Eastern Languages and Literature department.

From 1963 until 1977, he lectured and served as an Associate Professor of Bible and Talmud at Yeshiva University in New York City.

Rabbi Riskin was a founder of the Lincoln Square Synagogue in Lincoln Center, Manhattan.

In 1983, Rabbi Riskin immigrated to Efrat, Israel with his family to become the city's Chief Rabbi.

Quotes

"Judaism is an optimistic religion, and we believe we are a light unto the nations. If we speak of truth and peace, peace must be predicated on truth... The Bible has three convents:

1. (Gen. 15) Abraham established us as a people with an eternal relationship between the land and the people = a divine promise.
2. (Exodus 20) In Sinai Judaism was established as a religion with 613 commandments - thus we are a holy nation.
3. (Deut. 26/27) In Shechem [Nablus] when the Jews first entered the Land of Israel with Joshua, a convent of responsibility was established, making Jerusalem the city of this 3rd convent.

God’s message is of absolute peace. Thou shall not kill, and this should be our message. We must obliterate the following lies:

1. 'We are occupiers'. Wrong - "settlers" in Hebrew means inheritors. At the conclusion of WW1, the Treaty of Versailles provided for establishing 18 Arab and 1 Jewish state in the Middle East. In 1918-1949, 22 Arab states were established. In 1948 Israel was established on 20% of the mandate territory, and the refugee problem began. From 1948-67, Israel won land that was to have been ours by treaty and by right.
2. 'Suicide bombers are freedom fighters'. Wrong: they are not, they are murderers. After Oslo we pulled out of Palestinian Arab areas, which led to Arab violence, and showed us what they really were and what they really wanted. Israel's destruction is their goal. We must show them they can't get away with aggression. Islamic fundamentalism has turned God into Satan. Only those with a vision of peace have a right to a state."