Last week, we wrote here with great pain about the harsh expressions of hatred that have been heard recently against observant Jews. We expressed amazement at how people who consider themselves moral and advocate for respecting others and those who are different, accept with indifference, or even support, shocking expressions against entire communities.
Among the responses received following the article were those that beautifully illustrate the words of Chazal why it is difficult to utter words of rebuke at this time. For when one says to his friend, "Put a thorn out of your teeth," he immediately retorts: "Put a beam out of your eyes." Instead of listening to the remark, and perhaps truly removing the "toothpick" stuck between his teeth, he immediately launches into a counterattack and points out the shortcomings of the one who admonishes him.
And so there were those who returned the ball to the observant. Harsh and inappropriate expressions also come from among you. Your newspapers also write offensive things towards other groups. It is clear that this style of mudslinging cannot produce anything good.
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A Jew of Torah
The truth is that no community is free from the sin of hatred and offensiveness. You can start comparing and measuring, but there will be no winners in this competition. There will always be those who will unleash their anger on their tongues or keyboards, and there will always be those who will highlight and amplify extremist expressions and use them to blacken an entire community.
The question is what we actually do and what values we are trying to instill. Who are the role models we hold before our eyes, and whose mannerisms and style of speech we are trying to imitate.
Here, last week, the multitudes of Beit Yisrael accompanied Rabbi Gershon Edelstein, zt"l, Rosh Yeshiva of Ponevezh, to his funeral. In all the articles published about him, his insistence on good qualities, the way of the land, respect for others, and great love, even for those who do not follow in his footsteps, stood out. He educated generations of students in these values, and never stopped repeating them again and again.
Perhaps this Jew is the authentic representative of those who study Torah and keep its commandments, and not various tweeters who compete with each other in the sting they know how to send into the air? Perhaps his character, a century-old Jew who lived the Torah and its values day and night, until his very last day, is the true identity of those who fear God and keep His commandments?
Wake-up call
You see before you a man who lives with true simplicity, distances himself from all quarrels and disputes, and demonstrates by his personal example that he radiates what a Torah Jew should look like. Gentleness of manners, gentleness, moderation, consideration, a deep understanding of the soul of others.
The things that were published about him are not just a eulogy for a great man, but a wake-up call for each and every one of us. This is a path that we all deserve to embrace. Seek the oneness. See the bright spots in another Jew. Be careful with the respect of others. Give up even when I am right.
Yes, we too have a lot to improve, but as long as we strive to improve our morals and actions, and strive to be Jews as the Torah expects of us – there is a chance that we will reach our goal.
