A difficult year is coming to an end. A global pandemic that disrupts world order, a severe economic crisis, creaking government institutions, unbridled politics, a legal system that is losing public trust. And on top of all that – a murky wave of violent and biting discourse that has been washing over us lately.
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It is doubtful that the average citizen can change the 'big' things, but we can certainly have control over the discourse. The more people who express disgust with these mudslingings, stop consuming them in the media, and certainly refrain from sharing them – a different public atmosphere will be created, one that seeks to conduct a more calm, respectful, and considerate discourse.
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The internal divide is not just a problem of good taste and quality of life, but it endangers our future.
A culture of one man's hand against his brother is destroying us from within and gnawing at the foundations of our existence as a nation, and we have already seen in Jewish history the results of civil war and gratuitous hatred.
Is this how you want to live?
The month of Elul is a time to stop and seriously examine: Is this the atmosphere we want to live in? Do we want to raise our children in a world where there is no respect for others, where there is no appreciation for large and distinguished publics, where there is no politeness, restraint, and a culture of discussion?
It is certainly appropriate for a public debate to take place on the issues that are on the agenda, but it is imperative to foster a culture of civilized, substantive debate that respects every position. Such a style of debate will also yield a better outcome, because in the end, not all wisdom and all justice always lie on one side.
Today we are witnessing a closed, passionate, heated debate, in which there is no room for the voice of pure reason.
Because this clash is taking place mainly through the media, a broad and forceful public protest should be directed against them, calling for moderation, lowering the tone, stopping the smear campaign, and cultivating a culture of respect for others and broad sectors of the nation.
Media people are very sensitive to public opinion. If they sense that the public is fed up with the wild antics, they will work to reduce them.
With love, not with a stick
In the month of Elul, we are called to correct shortcomings, improve actions, and improve the ways. Today, it is clear to everyone that the right way to achieve correction is with love and not with a stick. The one who is hit is not free to check whether the hit was rightly inflicted on him, but his natural instinct is to fight back with a vengeance. But if we approach him with love and gentleness, he opens his heart to listen, internalize, and correct.
As is true in the personal sphere, so it is in the public arena. It is impossible to achieve correction by slander, accusations, and insults. It does not matter who is right – in order to be listened to, you must lower your tone, show empathy, understand the other side, and seek common ground on which to build a new consensus.
This is the challenge facing us these days. The month of Elul is a preparation for the month of holidays, in which the unity of the people is expressed. In the atmosphere of the holidays of Tishrei, we feel that we are one united people, above all disputes and divisions. Let us act now so that this Shavuot will be one of unity and love, and these will bring us redemption from all hardships.
