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Jewish Man Arrested in NZ After Prayer Ritual Confused for Terrorist Act
- Posted on December 13, 2010 at 9:10am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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A Jewish man on vacation in New Zealand caused a full anti-terrorism reaction after he strapped boxes on his leg and forehead in a Jewish prayer ritual:
The AFP reports the man was on a ferry and ferry officials called police before docking because they were concerned the man was preparing for a terrorist attack. Officials responded by arresting the man and his companion. They were later released.
According to the AFP, New Zealand Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres said the armed response was unfortunate and showed “an exaggerated fear of terrorism” in the country.
“It’s just a reminder we ought to pause and think before we jump to conclusions,” he said.
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Comments (53)
EP46
Posted on December 14, 2010 at 7:26amWe should pause and think before jumping to conclusions ?? But Big Sis wants you to call the police if you SEE something in Walmart parking lot ???? BEWARE do not park your truck at Walmart if you have a gun rack….do not park at Walmart if you drive anything but a GM car…do not park at Walmart if you have an American Flag or sticker on your vehicle. Do not park at Walmart if you have a ‘my child is an honor student’ sticker….Do not park at Walmart if you have any patriotic stickers on your car. Do not SHOP in Walmart if you happen to be wearing a T-shirt or cap that might ‘offend’, makes a political or religious statement, ONE MIGHT JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS and since they ‘see something, say something’ you might soon be in custody. I say BOYCOTT Walmart until they take out the Big Sis videos that endanger people’s LIBERTY.
Report Post »Mike_Dugas
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 7:22pmIn case anyone is interested the small boxes are called tefellin. They contain scriptures from the Torah(old testament), Exodus 13:1-10, 11-16 and Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 11:13-21, which command Jews to bind the word of G-d to their bodies. The man in the video is incorrect though. Mostly males wear tefellin but Orthodox, Conservative and Reform Jews allow women to also wear them.
Report Post »green_manalishi
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 2:51pmThis is not news. The authorities were dead right to be suspicious and check the man out, period. After not finding any flamables he should have been immediately released . End of story. Stop. Period
Report Post »PS. If you are a follower of any esoteric religion or religious rite you should expect to be viewed with some scrutiny in todays highly combustible society. Better safe than dead. Mozzle toff.
green_manalishi
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 3:02pmIn retrospect, the people on the ferry could have accertained his threat level and intentions on the spot with direct confrontation, ” What do you think your doing budy?” Hmm, So your not a member of the religion of peace?
Report Post »mattchase
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 1:51pm@atheist, Haha awesome. Every group of idiots has their true leader. Are you really that rude, dense and parochial, that you feel happy and proud to denigrate others?
@sooty3250, thanks for providing the clarity for the uninformed. As one of the religious Jews putting on Tefillin daily, it was well said. I assume from the footnote, this means Wikipedia was on this occasion accurate. (Kudos to open-source authors…)
@wampanoag, It is absurd that pinheaded bigots spout their biases in public like you have done. You could have waited until you were alone to be such an anti-Semite.
@blight14, come to Missouri and say that to my face, you ******* piece of dog-crap.
I echo others’ comments herein, which note that (a) it’s sad that so many non-Jews (and even many Jews) are so generally uninformed as to have no idea what Tefillin are; and (b) Jews don’t commit terror acts. Whether in New Zealand, a train on the East Coast of the US, or anywhere else, the only religion producing adherents who strap on bombs and target civilians is Islam. Sure, in the past we’ve had to worry about the IRA attacks on British over the conflict in Ireland, Christian fundamentalists’ rare attacks on abortion clinics, but as a percentage of all terror attacks worldwide in the modern day, Islam accounts for, well, nearly all.
In a free society, which thankfully I still enjoy in the USA (notwithstanding current attempts to limit it) and I assume New Zealanders purport to enjoy, one ought to be free to worship where and how he or she wishes and must. If this means that a Jew puts on Tefillin in his morning ferry commute (because he left home before sunup and could not do it then, but would reach his destination after such time as is required to complete it), or a Christian points to G-d in thanks when scoring a touchdown in a public high school game (and subsequently gets – unconstitutionally since it was public school? – a penalty flag), or even a Muslim future terrorist takes out his prayer rug in an airport waiting lounge to pray to Allah, these are all protected acts.
Only one, however, should give the watching commuters, fans or travelers pause. You know which one that is…
Report Post »Blight14
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 1:23pmGoofy primatives…..should have just stuck to bobbing your mangy head at a stone wall……….
Bill Wallace
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 12:05pmAre you kidding me?
The land of the Haka, and they are confusing boxes on a forehead to a terrorist attack?
Report Post »Leslie Emerson
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 12:04pmIf people got off their soapboxes and actually read these posts…….They Might Learn Something!
Report Post »OOOOoooooo scary huh!
Leslie Emerson
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 11:52amReading all these posts is almost as good as sitting on a park bench in Disney and People Watching.
Report Post »capecodsully
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 4:29pmNo ice cream cone though.
Report Post »Tal-El
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 11:47amThese “boxes” are called “tefillin” and contain key passages from the Torah written by hand on parchment. We put them on our left arm, close to our heart, and our forehand, between our eyes, as commanded in the Torah. We do this every morning and evening, except on the Sabbath (Friday night and Saturday morning. FYI.
Report Post »anigmanm
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 11:27amdid anyone ever notice how silly some people look on Dec 24th while trying to save a dollar on something that was marked up 20 bucks just to save face with their children?
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 11:09amobviously sure not a lot of Jews in NZ. but in this day and age how ignorant too, to go into any full-blown religious rituals in a public place where no one knows what a practicing Jew looks like.
funny, you never see Christians doing that, like Catholics walking around waving the incense burners from Mass or anything. if we were lugging around life-size crucifixes maybe we would be noticeable.
Report Post »Sergei
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 11:00amBig Sis would be proud… “if you see something say something” … and you can worry about your ass being sued later.
Report Post »wampanoag
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 10:40amIt is absurd that religious Jews cannot do their rituals in private. He could have waited till he got home.
Report Post »Sooty3250
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 10:49amWhy is it absurd? Does it make you uncomfortable? Does your lack of knowledge as to what is being said (prayed) alarm you? Does your ignorance (lack of understanding) induce fear of that you do not understand? Why would a visible expression of ones faith in a peacful, non threatning manner induce such a response? Why should such remain hidden, secret, covert, words that in themselves,,, have a darker, negatative intonation. That which is done in the light, rarely is of the dark.
tjdavid21444
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 11:03am@WAMPANOAG – Is it also absurd for a baseball player, before he steps up to the plate, to cross himself, and kiss a cross necklace he’s wearing? The only reason I asked my question originally, is because I am not familiar with the ritual. If it is one of those things that Judaism requires to be done at a certain time, no matter where you are, then fine. I just didn’t know the answer. But to call it absurd, without knowing the facts about the ritual is, itself, absurd.
tjdavid21444
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 10:11amI agree that we, all of us, are overreacting to a lot of things, but what I would like to know is why did this happen on a ferry? Does the ritual require that it be done as a public spectacle? I don’t know the answer, that’s why I am asking. And the first person to accuse me of anti-semitism for this comment is a ******.
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 10:30amWell, my first reaction wasn‘t why did it happen on a ferry because I’m not familiar with Judaism. I know certain religions require you to stop, drop and roll, so to speak.
I have to admit, my first reaction wouldn‘t be a terrorist attack because Muslim Extremists don’t target small potatoes like a ferry. They go after targets where they can get the most bang for their deviant and sadistic buck.
This unfortunate incident is the result of ignorance and people living their life with blinders on. Heads remain in the sand.
One thing about 30% of Americans seem to possess that no other country’s citizenry does is the innate unwillingness to conform. This allows us a select few to think outside the box and smell the proverbial “rat”.
Report Post »Sooty3250
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 10:39amTefillin (phylacteries) are a set of small cubic leather boxes painted black, containing scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah. They are tied to the head and arm with leather straps dyed black, and worn only by Jews, during weekday morning prayers. In Orthodox synagogues they are expected to be worn only by men; in Conservative synagogues they are also worn by some women.
The Shacharit (from shachar, morning light) prayer is recited in the morning. Halacha limits parts of its recitation to the first three (Shema) or four (Amidah) hours of the day, where “hours” are 1/12 of daylight time, making these times dependent on the season.
Various prayers are said upon arising; the tallit katan (a garment with tzitzit) is donned at this time. The tallit (large prayer shawl) is donned before or during the actual prayer service, as are the tefillin (phylacteries); both are accompanied by blessings.
The service starts with the “morning blessings” (birkot ha-shachar), including blessings for the Torah (considered the most important ones). In Orthodox services this is followed by a series of readings from Biblical and rabbinic writings recalling the offerings made in the Temple in Jerusalem. The section concludes with the “Rabbis’ Kaddish” (kaddish de-rabbanan).
The next section of morning prayers is called Pesukei D’Zimrah (“verses of praise”), containing several psalms (100 and 145–150), and prayers (such as yehi chevod) made from a tapestry of Biblical verses, followed by the Song at the Sea (Exodus, chapters 14 and 15).
Barechu, the formal public call to prayer, introduces a series of expanded blessings embracing the recitation of the Shema. This is followed by the core of the prayer service, the Amidah or Shemoneh Esreh, a series of 19 blessings. The next part of the service, is Tachanun, supplications, which is omitted on days with a festive character (and by Reform services usually entirely).
On Mondays and Thursdays a Torah reading service is inserted, and a longer version of Tachanun takes place.
Concluding prayers (see U-Ba Le-Tzion) and Aleinu then follow, with the Kaddish of the mourners generally after Aleinu
Information above obtained at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_services
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 11:58am@Sooty
Thank you for the clarifications, it makes it easier with the link as well to explain to others who have trouble accepting my own explenation.
Report Post »mdlwoods
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 10:05amAhhhh! This explains it all! They are removing all nativity scenes from public places because they believe the baby Jesus figure is really made of plastic explosives! Why else would they be so afraid of a nativity scene, a scene that represents nothing but love and peace?
Report Post »Chett
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 10:05amListening to Big Sis will do that to you.
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 9:48amIgnorance is bliss, as they say.
Report Post »firstamend
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 9:48amAppologize, but be alert and take action if something is fishy :)
Report Post »Thatsitivehadenough
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 9:47amThose boxes are only a couple of inches square. Anyone who sees them and thinks about terror is just silly. New Zealand must be embarrassed about how backward and naive they appear over this. Oh well. I guess what goes around, comes around.
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 9:44amYou just can’t be too careful these days, but what did they think was in the boxes. The size of the boxes suggest the most that he could have done was blow his own brains out and legs off. While I do admit that it could look suspicious, The size of the boxes should have been enough to tell them this was no real threat.
Report Post »guyperram
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 9:54amMaybe they “thought” he had a nuclear device in there. Makes you wonder iust what those guys are thinking.
Report Post »GodlessCanadian
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 9:30am“It’s just a reminder we ought to pause and think before we jump to conclusions” I think all the rightists hear could learn a thing or two from Mr. de Bres.
Report Post »bookofwisdom
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 9:29amJump to conclusions. I would have been jumping overboard. I can see it now, Muslim terrorists pretending to be Jews so they can start taking out all the boats and buses. Why can’t they do that type of worship in private instead of public. Do we really want to take chances with so many lives. May God Bless.
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 9:38amThat was my question too. Why were they doing this in public? Everyone is rightfully jumpy about the nutbag terrorists and a ritual like this is not something to take lightly, if you don’t know what is going on. I wouldn’t have known what they were doing.
Report Post »cognitivedissonance
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 9:40amyes, it is definitely better to just be afraid than to try and understand.
Report Post »JohnBarleycorn
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 10:48amKate,
Report Post »Not sure but I think in the Jewish religion an indoor place must be sanctified but the outdoors are already sanctified because it’s God made, not man made, or something like that.
untameable-kate
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 11:10amJohnBarleycorn, thank you I actually wanted to know. Unlike some (cognitivedissonance)
Report Post »who’s only purpose seems to be spiteful, His/her mommy must not have hugged him/her enough.
Rowgue
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 11:11amNo Muslim is pretending to be a Jew. They would sooner light themselves on fire while guzzling kerosene just before running out in front of a speeding train.
Report Post »bigdaddybernie
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 1:18pmI get all of my exercise by jumping to conclusions and running off at the mouth……………leave me alone!
Report Post »DSTSS2010
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 9:26amIn this age of instananeous communication it’s hard to believe everyone has not seen a picture of Jews praying at the “Wailing Wall” with the little black boxes ties to their foreheads. Also, why would a terrorist call attention to himself in such an unusual fashion? On the other hand it does seem to be a strange place to conduct such a ritual. Jumping to conclusions has become an Olympic sport.
Report Post »iamhungry
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 5:59pmNope, I’m well read but have never heard of strapping boxes to ones forehead and legs.
Report Post »Grasshopper42
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 9:25amBetter put scanners on ferry’s now.
Report Post »dkhartman
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 9:59amAhh yes now we get scanners at all public transportation. ROCK ON! Gropin’ time!
Report Post »GeauxAlready
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 9:21amCome on Please! A Jewish guy straps on a couple of lego size blocks. And you shut down your country. Well you can’t be to careful…………….
Report Post »Creestof
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 9:34amIt’s good it was not me there on a saturday…seeing the 6 pack of Michelob strapped to my waste and the large bag of Fiery Hot Cheeto’s on my head…I’d probably have been shot.
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 9:38amMaybe a little profiling would have helped?
guyperram
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 9:51amcreestof- only if Michelle’s diet police were around.
Report Post »Atheist
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 9:56amHahaha, awesome. Every religion has stupid rituals, it is universal.
The Atheist
BenInNY
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 10:08amJust like many atheists have there less than useful prejudices.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 11:56am@Aethist
Even those professing a lack of belief in any higher power or higher authority have a belief in themselves as their own higher power/authority. So in effect you are declaring a religious belief in ones own being, hence, becoming the higher power you deny.
http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm
Report Post »Polwatcher
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 12:16pmStupid!!!! NZ better get their head out of their a– and realize that Muslims are responsible for ALL of the terrorist attacks of recent history NOT Jews.
Ben Plonie
Posted on December 13, 2010 at 1:12pmThe same thing happened to a 16 year old Jewish boy last year as he prayed while flying with his sister to visit his grandmother. The plane was forced down in Pittsburgh (?) while they figured it out. On the other hand, many thousands of non-practicing Jews became aware of the ritual and tried it out for the first time.
Hello, profiling? Just another name for playing the odds. What are the historic odds of Jewish men committing terrorist acts while praying? Is it zero or less than zero?
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