The discussion about the God-shattering scandal that has been taking place in Shas for the past two weeks doesn't let up for a moment. Wherever you go, people are talking, taking sides, slandering. Most of them rightly so.
You read - articles, talkbacks and all kinds of writers, there are those who reject and pour fire and brimstone - I would not want to meet them in a dark alley during this time - who hurt the pain of the Maran and tongues of fire come out of their ears.
There are those who know how to phrase things much more compassionately – they share the pain of Aryeh – or the suffering and humiliation of Eli – it is truly touching.
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But amidst all the words and frontal discourse – I was looking for something else – a different approach: innovate something, you've already said it all. .
Let's take Aryeh and Eli – both of whom start with the letter A and will be labeled with that letter later – and I'm not here to bother you with gematria – or to try to harness the language of the Shin Bet to my writing. .
With your permission, here is a quote from a conversation that took place while I was sitting at the barber (but it could also come from the mikveh – or from the line at the bank).
In life, every barber is for himself with the scissors and the client, as you know, only for a living, of course he has nothing against his colleague, God forbid. Another short description and we got to the point: the discussion was heated from all positions, it answered this – a real fraternity both together. I have never seen such brotherhood in a barbershop in my life.
So like this: "I don't love A, but I hate A after what he did," end of quote. My book didn't say that, the other book said that, the one whose name I don't even know. These books can be nice.
I tried to explain my position there, the one I'm trying to lay out for you now. I said it eloquently and properly, after all, I've been thinking about it for several weeks.
The response was: The hum was light, polite, even forgiving towards me. In short, they didn't understand what I wanted at all: Either you're with A or you're with A?!
So everyone is in a collapse of a dam of frustrations and nerves – Aryeh or Eli – one of them must be put to the stake in the city square – and if possible for heaven's sake, for the honor of the deceased, and more clichés.
No one remembers – that there is a tragedy here of two better or less good people – but people! Human beings, families behind them.
The first was the head of a movement and brought it victories of 17 seats. One of the greatest achievements of all time, but he was fired and sent to prison immediately after the brilliant achievement. And let's not forget the promise...
The second accepted the rule at the behest of his master – he did as he was commanded all along the way – he did not deviate to the right or left – over time, he got used to the position and power and it was perfectly fine – and then they told him – vacate your position.
More than evil and treachery – I find here a human tragedy in all its complexity. The one in which one always comes at the expense of the other. Anyone who knows elected officials in political parties – knows that they do not need such a degree of circumstantiality to act against the other.
To those slanderers, I just say: A little humanity won't hurt.
Oh, and for those who know how to pity – only on one side – you're fine. Everyone knows who you got your last job from – and to whom you owe empathy – just don't think we're all excited about you.
At least I have reason to feel sorry for them.
