With Torah Tipp-Ex: Correcting The Internal Occupation

In a newly “penned” article, With an Iron Pen: 20 Years of Hebrew Protest Poetry, Richard Silverstein has given a glowing review of a collection of misguided “poetry” composed by secular European Israelis. Their purpose-to give their thoughts on the Israeli presence in the territories, which they deem “occupied.” As we will see, the occupation is in fact within them.

First, the phrase “iron pen” comes from Jeremiah 17:1:
1. The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond; it is engraved on the tablet of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars;

ספר ירמיה פרק יז

א) חטאת יהודה כתובה בעט ברזל בצפרן שמיר חרושה על לוח לבם ולקרנות מזבחותיכם

This is a reference (which the authors want to point to) to the sins of of Jews at that time. However, in verse 4, it goes on to say:

4. And you, yourself, shall discontinue from your heritage that I gave you; and I will cause you to serve your enemies in the land which you know not; for you have kindled a fire in my anger, which shall burn for ever.

ספר ירמיה פרק יז
ושמטתה ובך מנחלתך אשר נתתי לך והעבדתיך את איביך בארץ אשר לא ידעת כי אש קדחתם באפי עד עולם תוקד

Apparently the answer to misquoting of this verse by the authors is in the subsequent verse! Here is says that the Land of Israel is the inheritance of the Jews. The punishment for sinning is to be placed outside of the Land. How can Jews be occupying a Land that G-d has given to them (even if they aren’t deserving at any given time to be there physically)? Clearly the occupation is within them! The fact that they cannot recognize that the Land of Israel is the eternal inheritance, from G-d is the quintessential occupation.

Perhaps, even more interesting is the fact that Silverstein and the authors have overlooked the fact that the prophet Jeremiah was actual descended from the prostitute Rehav רחב as it says in the Talmud:
Megila 14b
R. ‘Ena Saba cited the following in objection to R. Nahman: ‘Eight prophets who were also priests were descended from Rahab the harlot, namely, Neriah, Baruch, Serayah, Mahseyah, Jeremiah, Hilkiah, Hanamel and Shallum.’ R. Judah says: Hulda the prophetess was also one of the descendants of Rahab the harlot. [We know this] because it is written here ‘the son of Tikvah’ and it is written elsewhere [in connection with Rahab]. ‘the line [tikvath] of scarlet thread’!28 — He replied: ‘’Ena Saba’29 — or, according to another report. ‘Black bowl’,30 — the truth can be found by combining my statement and yours’.31 We must suppose that she became a proselyte and Joshua married her.
(28) Josh. II, 18.
(29) Lit., ‘old eye’.
(30) Alluding perhaps to his ugliness (Maharsha).

תלמוד בבלי מסכת מגילה דף יד/ב
רב עינא סבא לרב נחמן שמונה נביאים והם כהנים יצאו מרחב הזונה ואלו הן נריה ברוך ושריה מחסיה ירמיה חלקיה חנמאל ושלום רבי יהודה אומר אף חולדה הנביאה מבני בניה של רחב הזונה היתה כתיב הכא בן תקוה וכתיב התם את תקות חוט השני אמר ליה עינא סבא ואמרי לה פתיא אוכמא מיני ומינך תסתיים שמעתא דאיגיירא ונסבה יהושע ו

It points out, in addition, that Rehav was a convert:

Zevachim 116b
Because, as a master said, There was no prince or ruler who had not possessed Rahab the harlot. It was said: She was ten years old when the Israelites departed from Egypt, and she played the harlot the whole of the forty years spent by the Israelites in the wilderness. At the age of fifty she became a proselyte. Said she: May I be forgiven as a reward for the cord, window, and flax.1
(1) For hiding them in flax, and then letting them down by a cord through a window (ibid. 6, 15).

תלמוד בבלי מסכת זבחים דף קטז/ב
דאמר מר אין לך כל שר ונגיד שלא בא על רחב הזונה אמרו בת י’ שנים היתה כשיצאו ישראל ממצרים וזנתה [כל] מ’ שנה שהיו ישראל במדבר אחר נ’ שנה נתגיירה אמרה יהא מחול לי בשכר חבל חלון ופשתים

In finality, we understand that Rehav, who people like the authors of With An Iron Pen despise, was the only one (along with her household) was spared the sword when Joshua and company came through Jericho. Why? Because she hid the spies who came through and prepared for the Israeli invasion of the Land of Israel. It’s too bad Richard Silverstein doesn’t check his sources before he quotes his fellow idiots-in-crime. Apparently Jeremiah’s iron pen was only a bi product of Rehav’s iron loyalty:

Joshua (6:17):
And the city shall be accursed, it and all who are in it, to the Lord; only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers whom we sent.

ספר יהושע פרק ו
והיתה העיר חרם היא וכל אשר בה ליהוה רק רחב הזונה תחיה היא וכל אשר אתה בבית כי החבאתה את המלאכים אשר שלחנו