To the Editor:

It is shocking that a book suggesting the biblical imperative of "Thou Shalt Not Murder" only applies to "a Jew who kills a Jew" is widely available in religious book stores in Israel and has been enthusiastically endorsed by several prominent rabbis ("Rabbinic Text or Call to Terror?," Jan. 29).

The teachings of Rabbi Yitzhak Shapira in "The King's Torah" represent the warped ideology of a small minority of radicalized settlers who pervert the tenets of Judaism to justify acts of violence and hatred.  Those teachings found their ultimate expression in the alleged acts of students of his West Bank yeshiva, including the arson and vandalism of a nearby Palestinian mosque.

The Judaism Rabbi Shapira presents in his book is contrary to the teachings, values and morals which are a fundamental part of the Jewish faith.  

As a people of conscience, we cannot stand idly by while extremists carry out attacks in the name of "defending" Judaism.  These are nothing more than acts of terrorism that serve to undermine the rule of law and Israel's democracy. They must be forcefully condemned by all responsible Jewish community leaders.