This weekend brought tragedy to our country. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families and friends of all who lost their lives in the horrific shooting in Arizona. And we pray that Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and all who were injured experience a refuah shlemah, a complete healing.
President Obama has called on “all Americans to observe a moment of silence to honor the innocent victims of the senseless tragedy including those still fighting for their lives. It will be a time for us to come together as a nation in prayer or reflection, keeping the victims and their families closely at heart.”
As we mark the moment of silence at 11 am, my colleague Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky of Congregation Ansche Chesed in New York has suggested that we recite the following words.
“Our tradition is that in the event of suffering, we fall silent and pray for mercy.” – Bavli Berakhot 62a
May we fall silent now, and listen to these gunshots still reverberating, and hear these bullets ricochet through our society. Let us never make such a deafening noise. Let us add soft voices, instead, to human discourse, in which we seek to understand before we insist on being understood. Thus we may merit to be like the students of Hillel, esteeming the words of our adversaries.
While the motivations behind this dreadful event are currently pointing to one disturbed individual, this crisis has led to a discussion about the sad state of political discourse in this country. In recent years, across the entire political spectrum we have seen a lack of civility and an increase in hateful speech and vitriolic rhetoric. There is a big difference in Judaism between having a constructive debate (we are good at this, just look at the Talmud!) and a destructive argument. Having difference of opinion and belief, political or otherwise, is absolutely fine. But forgetting that those on the “other side” are also made in God’s image is dangerous and blasphemous.
When it comes to the words that we speak, or hear, our tradition is very clear in reminding us that “Life and death are in the hands of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). Words matter. This week, let us remember that while we value freedom of expression as Americans, as Jews we are also taught that our expression should be careful and thoughtful. When we see advertisements or news programs that use destructive language and imagery we should turn the TV off, and we should go one step farther and call those politicians and members of the news media and demand that they adhere to a higher standard. When we hear friends, colleagues, or even members of our families embracing language and a tone of hatred and enmity, we should call them on it, or at the least walk away.
Judaism has no tolerance for hateful and intolerant speech. Our tradition teaches that the Second Temple’s destruction was due to the sin of sinat chinam, senseless hatred. May each of us remember the dangers of careless speech and may we work to promote healthy and holy speech in our own lives and in our community and society at large.