We are approaching the final day. No, not the elections. Those, thank God, are behind us. Now are the precious moments of correcting our actions and preparing for the new year. The days of atonement and purification in preparation for the High Holy Days.
The days of forgiveness are also days of reconciliation between man and man.
When you stand and bow your head before the Creator of the world, you are also willing to bow your head before others, admit your mistakes and ask for forgiveness for things that were not right.
There are no monsters.
This is the time for true reconciliation among the people and healing the wounds of the election campaign. It is clear to us that the belligerent, divisive, and polarizing statements made by political lists on the eve of the elections were made solely for electoral purposes.
Political figures will have no problem shaking hands with opponents, eating together at the buffet, and signing coalition agreements. The big problem is the residue that this propaganda has left in the people.
We all stay here to live together. No one is going anywhere. We must also not forget that there are bitter enemies around us, for whom there is no difference between one Jew and another, between an ultra-Orthodox and an anti-religious, between a settler and a leftist, between an Easterner and an Ashkenazi. They hate us all equally and are plotting against us.
We must unite together, because we are truly brothers.
We must crumble the mountains of hatred and hostility they have built. They serve no useful purpose, except to give vent to dark impulses. It is time to cultivate a discourse of respect, understanding, and consideration.
After all, when we sit down and talk together honestly and cordially, it turns out that the distance between us is not that great. We are all Jews, human beings, who want to live in this country, raise children in it, and receive the services to which every citizen is entitled.
The violent and offensive discourse paints a monstrous, demonic image. When you peel away the prejudices and fears, it becomes clear that you are facing a lovable, pleasant, and sensitive people, as far removed as the east is from the west from the malicious plots attributed to them.
But to find out, you need to meet face to face, not through the media screens.
Opportunity for battle
This is now the most urgent and important task – to heal the wounds and restore the fabric of our shared life to its original state.
Here, everyone can contribute. Be less angry, more respectful. Be less aggressive, show more sensitivity. King Solomon already said: "As water reflects face, so the heart of man reflects man." The other person reacts to you just as the water (or mirror) reflects the image that is facing them. When you smile, you will receive a smile. If you get angry and frown, you may be right, but you will receive anger and frown in return.
These days are also the best opportunity to connect all parts of the people to Jewish tradition and the synagogue. We are all required to act with special sensitivity towards those who come through the doors of the houses of prayer. Say hello, welcome, offer a chair, a kippah, a tallit, a mashrut. Give the guest a sense of a pleasant experience. It is imperative that he wants to return.
Beyond all the differences in lifestyles and worldviews, we have a strong common denominator. This is the Jewish heritage, which has accompanied us for more than three thousand years. Let us unite around it and be blessed with good writing and signature, for a happy and sweet New Year.
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