Question: In my community there is an anti-religious element which is threatening to establish a Jewish school of an entirely secular nature. There is some strong local support for this move and, much as others and I are opposed to this effort to deprive all our children of a truly Jewish education, it seems to be a losing battle. What is the right thing to do?

Answer: When the Chafetz Chaim was asked a similar question he replied with a parable about a city caught in the middle of a revolution with both rebels and loyalists pleading for its people to join their side. A town meeting was held at which arguments were presented in favor of each side. Finally, one wise fellow presented a solution.

"Since there is no way to avoid joining one of the sides despite the fact that we feel no allegiance to either of them, let us make a study of which side is stronger. If we must fight let us at least be on the winning side."

"When in doubt," concluded the Chafetz Chaim, "always choose the winning side. The secularists and their powerful supporters are on one side. On the other side is G-d and His armies. It's up to you to figure out which side is sure of winning and to join it."

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