DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇱 Israel /Culture & Society

What Tisha B’Av can teach about the silencing, and creative defiance, of Jewish writers

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Opinion Sources not specified Context piece
  • The article draws parallels between the ancient Jewish concept of Tisha B'Av and the contemporary silencing and defiance of Jewish writers.
  • It highlights the resignation of PEN America president Dinaw Mengestu in protest of the organization's report on the exclusion of Jewish and Israeli writers.
  • The author argues that despite attempts to silence them, Jewish writers continue to tell their stories, embodying a spirit of creative defiance.

From Mount Scopus, Rabbi Akiva's laughter amidst the ruins of the Second Temple, as described in the Babylonian Talmud, serves as a powerful metaphor for enduring defiance in the face of destruction. This ancient story, where Akiva foresaw a restored Jerusalem even as prophecy foretold the Temple's end, resonates with the contemporary struggles of Jewish writers facing exclusion and silencing.

History has testified to the obsolescence of the Jewish people. Their story is sealed; the book is closed.

— Sages (as described by Rabbi Akiva)This quote represents the perceived end of the Jewish story, which Rabbi Akiva defied with his laughter and foresight.

Two thousand years later, and days before the Tisha B'Av fast, which marks the destruction of the Second Temple and other historical calamities, the author feels this spirit of anguish and defiance acutely as a purveyor of Jewish stories. The recent resignation of PEN America president Dinaw Mengestu is presented as a critical example. Mengestu resigned not over censorship or jailed writers, but in protest of his organization's report detailing the exclusion of Jewish and Israeli writers and artists – an "unofficial, but well-orchestrated, international ghosting."

Just as the prophecy of a destroyed temple came true, the prophecy of a restored Jerusalem would also be fulfilled to the letter. Akiva laughed amidst the ruins because he knew the story wasn’t over.

— Author (interpreting Rabbi Akiva)The author explains Rabbi Akiva's laughter as a symbol of defiance and belief in a continuing Jewish story despite destruction.

While Mengestu rebuked PEN America for not standing with those who boycott Israel, labeling the report a "fake anti-semitism piece," the article frames PEN America's report as validation for those experiencing exclusion in Israel. The report confirmed that book deals with Jewish or Israeli authors have fallen significantly since 2023, citing examples like a "color-coded blacklist of Jewish writers."

boycott... is a form of dialogue.

— Dinaw MengestuPEN America president Dinaw Mengestu's statement justifying boycotts, which led to his resignation.

The non-profit "Writing on the Wall," founded after October 7, is mentioned as one of the "new outlets for Jewish writers" attempting to break this publishing "chokehold." The article references co-founder Ronit Eitan, a novelist who held back her manuscript because "nobody wants to hear my voice." This narrative of silencing and creative defiance, rooted in historical resilience, forms the core of the author's reflection on Tisha B'Av's enduring lessons.

one of those fake anti-semitism pieces.

— Novelist (applauding Mengestu)A novelist's reaction to PEN America's report on the exclusion of Jewish writers.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog