Page 3 - HaMizrachi Australia Sukkot 5781

MUTATING VIRUSES

Biological and Moral Masters of Deception – Part 2

Rabbi Doron Perez

A survival and reproduction. Viruses functioning. DNA provides the code for
virus is a master of
have therefore evolved to become
cell activity, while RNA converts that
deception.
code into proteins to carry out cellular
maestros of deception.
Its aim is to reproduce and
multiply, but as it is only How does this deception work? functions.
a simple microscopic clod of organic These molecules act like instructions,
matter, it cannot do so on its own. The To enter the cell, a virus floats up to so when viruses bring their DNA and
only way it can reproduce is to infil- or lands on a cell and then attaches RNA instructions to the cell, they trick
trate a living organism with reproduc- itself to a receptor. Receptors are pro- the cell into following them and gen-
tive abilities and then hijack its repro- teins situated on the cell surface that erating all the necessary conditions
ductive mechanism – an ingenious yet act like protective locks, and only a for the virus to multiply. New copies
diabolical double act of trickery and specific key will fit these “locks.” The of the virus can then be constructed
deception. duplicitous virus contains proteins inside the cell and the formerly vital
shaped just like that key, which slot
This is how biological viruses multiply into the receptor. This starts a process cell now becomes an assembly line for
and spread contagion. And this is pre- that leads to the virus entering the cell new virus particles. The helpless cell is
cisely how the virus of antisemitism, whole or gradually injecting itself into now serving the virus, manufacturing
and particularly today’s mutation of the cell. thousands of new particles which are
anti-Zionism, works as well. 1 released to continue corrupting count-
Like a Trojan horse, it can now unleash less more cells. Contagion awaits.
Let us analyze these dynamics of a surprise strike from the inside.
deception to gain a clearer under-
standing of their inner workings and Antisemitism today: infiltration
to develop a strategy to counteract the Deception 2: hijacking the and hijacking the host
virus of antisemitism in its current host’s production line The same is true with antisemitism.
incarnation of Israel demonization. The virus’ second act of trickery is Antisemitism is a virus of prejudice
hijacking and corrupting the cell’s and discrimination that is relatively
Deception 1: infiltrating reproductive mechanism. While the innocuous unless it can find a host.
the host cell is programmed to reproduce The host this virus requires is the
its cells, it ‘unknowingly’ becomes human heart and mind, containing
The immune system is the body’s tool hijacked by the virus and instead of thoughts, emotions and motivations.
to ensuring its physical health and only producing its own cells, it pro-
survival. All living beings have vary- duces the virus’ infected cells. It is not easy for destructive ideas to
ing degrees of sophisticated immunity penetrate the heart because human
networks to protect against harmful The sneaky seizure takes place as fol- beings have a strong natural moral
foreign bodies (pathogens) which can lows. Every cell in our bodies is a tiny immune system: a conscience. Our
infect and spread disease. Viruses are factory, constantly making proteins ethical compass prods us to do good
pathogens and so must find a way to and reproducing new cells. Viruses and to resist hateful and self-destruc-
circumvent the immune system to and living cells use DNA and RNA, the tive behavior. This is why antisemi-
gain entry. No way in? No chance of two main molecules critical to genetic tism must present itself in a morally

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