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THE TRUTH HURTS
We are all well aware that it is oftentimes not polite or wise to state the whole truth when human sensitivities are involved. The Talmud in one of its famous statements asks the rhetorical question: “If one has purchased an item in the marketplace, should his friend praise the purchase or denigrate it?” The Talmud apparently feels that it is discourteous if not even downright mean to denigrate something that has already been purchased, even though in truth there is much room for criticism.
So truth and the telling of it is a somewhat chancy matter. Nevertheless, we are told that the seal of the Lord is truth. One of the main attributes describing Torah is truth. And we pray daily that the Lord should grant us, the descendants of Jacob, the gift of truth. Apparently this ambivalence towards the trait of truth is caused by the fact that in many, if not most cases, truth hurts.
According to Chasidic tradition, the great rebbe of Kotzk, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Morgenstern, was a person devoted to absolute truth and he regularly lashed out at his followers with his tongue of truth. But, disappointed that the words of truth apparently made little influence upon his audience, he eventually withdrew from public life. For decades he was a recluse, condemned to isolation because of his penchant for telling the truth no matter how painful the consequences.
In our current world, the whistleblowers receive scant commendation for telling us the truth about the failings and corruption of governments, corporations or organizations. Since the truth hurts we prefer to ignore the message and pillory the messenger.
The Ministry of Defense for the State of Israel recently told the truth in a very undiplomatic manner. He stated the obvious, that the emperor has no clothes. He said that the United States could not be relied upon in spite of previously made promises, commitments and treaties.
One need only observe American policy regarding Syria, Iran, and currently Crimea and Ukraine, in order to realize the truth of Minister Yaalon’s statement. It is obvious to all, especially to Comrade Putin, that the United States will not go to war for any reason except if it is directly attacked on its shores. For any country to base its defense strategy on the likelihood of American intervention and aid is risky and foolish.
Of course, Yaalon told the truth and it hurt. America now demands an extravagant apology from Yaalon and the Israeli government. It will undoubtedly receive such an apology for such is the make-believe world of diplomacy that we live in. Diplomacy is the world of nuanced falsehood and the avoidance of harsh truths at almost all costs. Yet, in our heart of hearts, the truth of Yaalon’s statement is well recognized and resonates within us.
Apparently he has to apologize, not for what he said but rather for saying it. The prophets of Israel were beaten and imprisoned for telling the truth to the nation. All dictatorships survive on the suppression of truth. One must be very courageous to tell the truth because it will undoubtedly bring about repercussions. For the truth really does hurt.
Much of the discord and divisiveness that exists in current Israeli and Jewish society stems from the inability or unwillingness of individuals or groups to hear and face the truth. The truth is that the Palestinian Authority has no intention of coming to a peaceful agreement with the State of Israel. This truth is known to almost all Israelis today, no matter what our distinguished president says.
It is slowly dawning on our government and perhaps even on other governments as well that the panacea of a two state solution is not really possible or operative. This is a very harsh and bitter truth and it certainly hurts. But, it remains the truth. So we are very much in need of a plan B, as plan A has proven to be false and ephemeral.
The truth is that much of the religious society here in Israel is in financial collapse. The reasons for this are many but they are really no longer relevant to the discussion. The bitter truth is that the social, educational and politically motivated policies pursued in the immediate past can no longer survive the economic crisis of tens of thousands of families being raised in poverty and want.
That is a bitter truth that has to be faced and that truth will engender change and eventually bring about different social mores. Truth can be ignored and it can be suppressed. But it never disappears and sooner or later it comes to the surface no matter how painful and wrenching the process.
Shabbat shalom
Berel Wein
