What does Judaism say about dealing with people whose views you can't stand? About how to rebuke and criticize the other? Rabbi Donniel Hartman, leader of the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, where I studied last summer, shares his thoughts in this piece from their Web site. Bottom line: pick your fights carefully and watch the body language.
"The goal of every religious tradition in general and Judaism in particular is to provide structure and motivation to generate moral and spiritual growth. The great enemy of religion is mediocrity, and the fundamental purpose of every system of laws and rituals is to maximize the potential embedded within human nature which all too often lies unrealized.
One of the more beautiful and interesting attempts of Judaism to achieve this end is its institutionalization of the obligation to serve as moral and value critics toward each other. As Leviticus 19:17 teaches, when we see fellow Jews doing something wrong, and not fulfilling their duty or living up to their potential, we are obligated not to remain silent, but rather to speak to them, critique them and challenge them to change. Criticism is not viewed as an expression of animosity and distance, but rather as an act of love and care. Our responsibilities to others are not exhausted by refraining from harming them or lending a helping hand in times of financial crisis. We are obligated to the moral and spiritual improvement of the society in which we live, which entails holding ourselves and others to higher standards."
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