Money, The Weak Link

Maybe I should word the title differently.  Money is the weak link to morality, but that's too many words.  So, maybe it should be more like "Money Breaks Down Moral Standards," but that's not catchy enough.  How about "Money Over Moral and Religious Values?"  Or the old cliche` about "Everyone Has A Price."

This is about the Heichal Shlomo fiasco/embarrassment, very well researched and documented by Ellen Horowitz of Jewish Israel and a frequent blogger on  Shiloh Musings.  A Christian Missionary group hired Heichal Shlomo, Jerusalem for a series of events, which had included a prayer service in the synagogue.  The agent handling the booking was possibly blinded by the money and didn't check out who they are.  After public pressure, they've changed, though not cancelled the contract.

I like to describe my recent weight loss as a "typical Jewish Joke," since I was offered a diet plan for free.  There's no immorality in that; just call it siyate d'Shmaya, the mysterious, and sometimes humorous, Hand of G-d. 

But when Jewish and Israeli institutions and businesses accept and encourage Christian Missionary Money and connections/contacts, we're dealing with a serious moral dilemma.  The Jewish jokes about "anything for a buck" and "as long as it's free, I'll take two," endanger our very existance.  We must rely on our own hard work and G-d and not become dependent on non-Jews, our spiritual enemies.