The Midrash (B’reishis Rabbah, Chapter 5) has a very interesting account of Creation, stating as follows:
“At the time G-d decided to create Adam (Man), Chesed (Kindness) advised to create Man, as he often practices chesed. Emes (Truth) advised against creating Man, as he was full of deceit. Tzedek (Righteousness) advised in favor of creating Man, as he often practices tzedek. Shalom (Peace) opposed creating Man, because he is often engaged in machlokes (strife). What did Hashem finally do? He took Emes and threw it to the ground (and thus created Man).”
The question is: What did Hashem gain by discarding Emes? After all, Shalom remained, which counseled against creating Man.
The Kotzker Rebbe explained in true Kotzk fashion: If “Emes/Truth” is discarded, then the chances are greater for peace. At root of every dispute, says the Kotzker, is the fight for each one’s “truth.” If we put truth aside, then there is no room for argument.
Obviously, the Kotzker is not advising to abandon the truth to bring peace. He is saying that if we each fight for what we perceive as the truth, without any objective thought, we bring about discord, as we cannot get to the real bottom of the issue. We will be forever mired in our positions.
In the current battle of Jew vs. Muslim and the Left, everyone is committed to “their truth,” as our VP succinctly put it. However, it is extremely frustrating – and frightening – to see otherwise intelligent people subscribe to the absurdities in supporting Hamas and the Palestinian narrative. I have yet to see a single intelligent discussion or debate on the issues of Israel being guilty of genocide and Apartheid. Or of Gaza being under occupation. Or of the denial that Hamas perpetrated any violence, while at the same time hailing Hamas as the heroes of “resistance.” Or of the claim of Israeli occupation at the root of the war, while the entire war is sponsored by Iran, which was never occupied. Yet they cling to “their truth.”
Yes, I admit that I feel the truth is with us exclusively, but the other side offers nothing but hate in their argument. Not one scintilla of reason. Listen to the “educated” protestors in the street: Most don’t even know where Israel is.
It’s painfully laughable that the world (including our president) is praying that Israel does not violate the sacred spirit of the upcoming Ramadan holiday as it may jack up the violence. Let’s pause for a moment… When did Hamas attack Israel? On the Jewish Sabbath, which was also the holiday of Simchas Torah! When did the Arabs attack Israel in 1973? On Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar! But I guess it follows up from my theme of last week: The world suffers from Islamophobia, so it expects very little from the Muslims. It expects them to be more violent on their holiest of days. How can they have such a low assessment of Muslims? Didn’t Christians always look for a break in war during their holiday season?
Last year’s Left vs. Right in Israel, regarding Judicial Reform, which spilled hatred into the streets of Israel, was also totally bereft of any reasonable discussion. Each side dug in its heels with no regard for considering the argument of the other side, resulting in a situation that brought the country close to civil war, G-d forbid. Each side was convinced that the emes, the truth, was with them.
Now Israel faces one of its thorniest issues: the draft of yeshivah students into the IDF. Try to have a rational discussion about that issue! What is disturbing to me is that I am not hearing a consistent defense of the thousands of yeshivah boys (17 percent of Israelis of draftable age) not sharing in the responsibility to assist in the army’s war effort. This would alleviate a major burden from the families of miluim (reserves), who have sacrificed so much.
For full disclosure, I do not feel that any of us in chutz la’aretz is entitled to input on the matter. After all, we, too, for the most part, are not sending our children to fight. But we still can express an opinion. Secondly, I support the idea of worthy Torah students not being drafted. Undoubtedly, it is Torah that protects us. It is the fact that it has become the cultural right of the chareidim that I question, not so much the ideology that their learning protects the soldiers.
Last week, I was listening to Dovid Lichtenstein on his very popular podcast, “Headlines.” He interviewed a couple of Israeli roshei yeshivah on the topic of the draft. Lichtenstein is a very thorough interviewer. You must be prepared to answer penetrating questions. He holds nothing back. Fluff will not do.
He pressed them on the pasuk (BaMidbar 32:6) where Moshe Rabbeinu accuses the tribes of Gad and Reuven of being derelict in their duties to join their fellow Jews in battle, preferring to remain in Trans-Jordan with their livestock. “Shall your brothers go out to battle while you settle here?”
After the spokesmen deflected this obvious question by drawing differences between Moshe Rabbeinu’s army and today’s IDF, Mr. Lichtenstein cited many other instances in Tanach where Jews were expected to join the army, even a chasan or kallah from under their chupah, whether they were learned or not and no matter who was at the helm.
One of those interviewed finally responded that, let’s face it, we do not relate to the general culture of Israel and cannot fight for something they really don’t believe in. Another one, when cornered, was left responding: We follow our “daas Torah” and do what they say. (I don’t know if Rav Shteinman zt”l would agree with that.)
Like I said, I do believe that Torah students should remain behind their Gemara as it protects us, but I was disappointed to see that these spokesmen had a very difficult case upholding that concept when grilled. They ran off to whatever they could think of to keep the interviewer at bay.
That is a very big problem. If the argument is not going to be the consistent truth, this will never be resolved. I’m afraid that this issue will bring about a major rupture in Israeli society, even worse than we’ve seen till now, chas v’shalom.
While we are on the topic of truth, I need to make a “true confession.” In my February 29 article, “Three Cheers for Chabad,” I referred to a major organization that refused to participate in the Washington rally and commented that “until their administration reshapes its rabbinic leadership, it will be the same old same old.”
I should have made clear that I did not mean to replace its current leadership of roshei yeshivah, but rather to add pulpit rabbanim to their roster, who can contribute a very needed perspective. I was relying on the fact that the reader will recall that I have written that in previous articles. I can see why it would upset those who took it otherwise, not being familiar with my position.
One parting word: This is not to continue the debate over Kahane as an ideology. But think about this: How many Jewish deaths was Kahane responsible for? Which Jew lost his life because of him? (Okay, throw in Baruch Goldstein, if you wish.) On the other hand, how many Jews were lost as a result of the terror emanating from Oslo I, II, and III? And how many from the disengagement from Gush Katif, which was orchestrated by Ariel Sharon but supported by the Left exclusively?
The Left in Israel and here likes to say that the Right only offers simple solutions to complex problems. How have the complex solutions worked out?
Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld is the Rabbi Emeritus of the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, President of the Coalition for Jewish Values, former President of the Vaad Harabonim of Queens, and the Rabbinic Consultant for the Queens Jewish Link.
