In a debate between perceptions and positions, you can usually understand the reasoning and arguments of your fellow member, even if you reject them and disagree with them. But sometimes he presents positions that are so strange that you have to make an effort to understand their origin.
An illustration of this was given to us recently when the argument was raised that today's innovative advertising media are not intended to advertise values and matters of faith, but only commercial matters.
People repeat this argument over and over again, and you try to absorb and understand who exactly invented this invention.
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Did Moses bring with him another hidden doctrine stating that the means of advertising were intended for commercial purposes only and not for matters of spirit and faith? Is this written in the Talmud or in the books of the Rishonim and Aharonim? And is there any law that prohibits this? It turns out that people recite mantras without thinking about the logic behind them.
A campaign for everything
Ask anyone in the advertising field and they will answer you unequivocally: You can advertise anything! Just pay and you will receive an advertising campaign for anything you can think of. Of course, the message must be adapted to the appropriate advertising channel, and that is the job of the professionals. But you will not find a serious advertising person who will determine that it is impossible to advertise values.
The reality is that value-based, non-commercial campaigns are being advertised all the time.
There is no shortage of examples: maintaining cleanliness at natural sites. The need to conserve water. And the exclusion of old people. Helping those in need ahead of the holidays. There are campaigns for a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, and against causing pain to animals. And on and on.
The public sphere is flooded with non-commercial ideological campaigns. Parties that support the division of the country are publicizing their positions. And in contrast, entities that believe it is a disaster are advertising on billboards and other means of advertising the dangers that could arise from the establishment of a terrorist state in the heart of our country.
Have you heard anyone claim that billboards are only for toothpaste?
Answer on the psychological level
So where did this strange claim come from that the values of Judaism are not appropriate to advertise in public? The truth is that there is no logical basis for it. There are those who simply oppose these values, but are looking for an argument that will supposedly seem more legitimate, and thus the invention was born that Judaism is not appropriate to advertise in this way.
For others, especially among certain observant people, the motive must be sought on a psychological level. They are uncomfortable seeing Judaism proudly speaking out. They themselves also strive to reduce their expressions of Judaism, to make them stand out as little as possible. Proud Judaism, in the public domain – that is beyond their capacity.
But the most amusing argument was that it is impossible to campaign for a certain value without bringing in the other side. Did you hear? From now on, 'Peace Now' must bring in the arguments of the right, and the vegetarians must bring in the arguments of the meat-eaters... In short, the gates of confusion have not been closed.
