Closing Down the Rumor Factory
in Preparation for Rosh Hashana
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
This week's parsha, Re'eh begins with advice of Biblical proportion. Hashem tells us to see that He has placed before us both a blessing and a curse. We have a choice to bring the blessing when we listen to and follow the mitzvos. This parsha always falls near the beginning of the month of Elul, a month when we evaluate our personal service of Hashem. The theme of parsha’s Re’eh is a message to each one of us to ask ourselves as we make our personal accounting if we use the energy that Hashem provides for a blessing.
Of all of Hashem's creations man's unique feature is the power of speech. Man has an ability to build or to destroy with the way he speaks as it says; "Life and death is in the power of speech”. We have the essential encouragement from this week's parsha not to misuse the precious resource of speech, to choose life by using speech only for the good, and not the opposite.
Today we live within a world dominated by social media; Facebook, twitter, messaging a myriad of ways to communicate and publicize our thoughts and feelings. At times we may not even realize the ripple effect that one comment can make. We might innocently make a comment to a friend and not think anyone else paid attention. Aside from the inherent power of any word spoken in this world, we can actually see how a single utterance can travel from one end of the world to the other instantaneously on social media.
The Torah is very specific setting clear guidelines as to what constitutes the standard of proof for what can be considered a fact. The Torah states that judges should seek and investigate, VERY WELL, before establishing what the facts are and reaching judgments. The bar is set high because the stakes are so high. One inaccuracy could have tragic and irreversible results that could last generations! Slander and gossip are the exact opposite. They are based on innuendo and rumor; there is no burden of proof. One careless rumor or misplaced comment can destroy someone’s life or career, whether the individual is innocent or guilty. Not just that, often there is collateral damage be it innocent families, colleagues or associates, all from a single comment coming from and unsubstantiated source. Misuse of speech is even more severe than the stone-throwers of Mea Shaarim on Shabbos!
In a sicha from this week’s parsha on the signs of what makes an animal kosher, the Rebbe explains the sign of "chewing the cud" and it's spiritual lesson. Through this kosher sign we are being taught to emulate this characteristic in our lives by re-examining and rethinking things that we think we already know. This sign serves as a warning not to simply digest everything that enters through the mouth as true. Instead we can and should mull it over, perhaps again and again before drawing a conclusion. A 'kosher' person doesn't spontaneously act and speak before thoughtful consideration of the facts if they are the facts at all. Even when we are certain, we don't act impulsively. We consider all the possible effects and repercussions that our actions will bring. We ask ourselves first if perhaps we are acting out of frustration or outrage. Maybe we mean very well to help right an injustice, or bring healing to victim. Still, even if the injustice is clear and irrefutable, we could nevertheless be furthering the harm, not the good by the approach we take. So we ask yet again; will my reaction fix the situation or actually add fuel to the fire? The litmus test for this process is found in the beginning of this week’s parsha; the outcome must be a blessing, and that is my responsibility as a kosher person. We cannot nor will ever be able to control or undo the choices of others and the damage caused, but we are all responsible to react in a way that makes the best of what can be done from this point forward. Lost for now are the days of the Great Sanhedrin and the Urim vTumim (may we witness it's return immediately!). We do not have the cities of refuge and the social structures in place to properly adjudicate many of the difficulties and challenges we face in our communities. Many are convinced that social activism is the way forward. I respect the care they have for the unfortunate victims and agree with the dire need for their protection. At the same time we must be vigilant that the choices made to help the innocent don’t cause irreversible collateral damage.
Every one of us can be influential. In Pirkei Avos we are taught to judge every single person favorably and to be to patient in judgment. One must have a favorable opinion about everyone long before we even think about judging him. In a sharp Sicha for Elul the Rebbe spoke clearly about the importance of having ahavas Yisroel and only speaking positive of others during the month of Elul. The month of Elul is a month of preparation for Rosh Hashana. Therefore Elul is a time to support each other and build each other up with positive thoughts and kind words, as it says in Shmona Esrei; "Barcheinu Avinu kulanu k'echod, Bless us our Father all as one" which can be read as; the blessing of Hashem our Father comes when we are all one. And then we will have; "V'yehi b'Yeshurun Melech, Hashem our King will dwell in our midst" on Rosh Hashana.
When we take the time to look at everyone as a member of our own family we view the entire picture from all sides. When we look at the afflicted and the innocent along with the others as if he or she was our own brother or sister, we will try to do all that we can, thinking and re-thinking through the best response to pursue justice with patience together to find a better way to address all that are involved.
Yes, it’s painful but we picture ourselves standing in front of the Rebbe when we write our words and spread our message. Is what we are doing fit with what Chassidus teaches us; that we are all one family?
As the parshas begins with both the blessing and the opposite, nevertheless our service of Hashem is to focus solely on; “Es Habracha, asher tishmau”, to separate the bracha from the opposite. This means that our entire goal, our entire intention is that everything that we do and say is only to hear the word of Hashem and to uphold the Word of Hashem. Through taking the time and having the patience to treat others as our own brethren may we merit going forth together as one to greet Moshiach Now.
A Good Shabbos and a Good Chodesh