Do You Still Doubt That “Fake News” Is Real?

(Note: There are many clickable links in this article, although that may be hard to see)

       The mid-term election will soon be over.  And not a minute too soon.
      In my sixty years on this planet and the many elections that I have observed, I have never seen such acrimony, hate, distortion, vilification of the other side, and bald-faced lying for political gain as in this season.  And that includes the 2016 election, bad as it was.  I can only hope political discourse gets better from here, as I do not see how it could get much worse.  In particular, I was irked in the past week by several blatant examples of “fake news”.  Whether or not you are a fan of President Trump, it is hard to deny that he is right that the media is extremely biased, and attempts to shape the news, rather than just report it.  Here are some of the things that disturbed me.   I will not delve deeply into any of these examples here, as much has been written about each of them:

1. Deliberate distortion of the words of Chief Rabbi Dovid Lau שליט"א – In a particularly cynical and ugly way, reporters distorted Rabbi Lau’s words, which were clearly intended to say that the Pittsburgh tragedy is not the time to discuss what divides Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jews, to say that the Rabbi refused to call the Tree of Life temple a synagogue.  Various activists and politicians seized upon this as an opportunity to vilify the Orthodox, and call for a change in Israeli policy towards the non-Orthodox movements
   
2. Deliberate distortion of the words of Rabbi Jeffrey Myers – Instead of reporting the unifying message of Rabbi Myers of Tree of Life, in which he called for unity and the removal of politics, CNN reporters attempted to have him blame President Trump for the attack and say that he was unwelcome.
   
3. Deliberate distortion in blaming President Trump for the attack -- President Trump’s immediate reaction to the Pittsburgh horror was dignified and supportive, while the media pile on hatred and blaming him for the massacre.  In general, the media have not given President Trump one moment to breathe since his election, continuing to foist false narratives to sow social discord and hatred of the President. In fact, just this week articles have come out decrying hundreds of anti-Semitic attacks committed in New York recently; NOT ONE by anyone associated with the “far right, or a Trump supporter.
   
4. Deliberate distortion of the Pittsburgh Jewish community’s response to President Trump – seizing upon the pathetic grasp for attention from one far left extremist group, media attempted to spread the lie that the Jewish community in Pittsburgh blamed him for the tragedy and that he was unwelcome there, when in fact his visit was welcomed and was well-received as being consoling and supportive.
   
5. Deliberate distortion of Vice President Pence’s invitation of a Messianic “rabbi” – Dozens of stories criticized VP Pence for the invitation, while it is clear that it was not Pence, but the idiot local congressional candidate Lena Epstein who had been delegated to find a local rabbi to offer a prayer at the event, p, but nevertheless "proved again" that Trump/Pence are really anti-Semites who are insensitive to the Jewish community, interested only in sending out “yet Another Dog Whistle To Evangelicals. (Never heard about so many dog whistles in the past.)

While in Israel,

1. Haaretz reporter  about the horrific death of a family of eight from Psagot insists that it not be referred to as a town but rather as an illegal settlement.
   
2. Endless reporting regarding the Israeli election, and spiteful and hurtful false accusations about opponents on all sides – Left/Right, Religious/Irreligious, Chareidi/Dati Leumi, Chareidi Brand A/Chareidi Brand B – that leaves any thinking person revolted and perplexed as to whether they can support ANY of them.

I just cannot go on with this.

The magnitude and extent of distorted and outright untrue stories published by the press – those entrusted with the sacred role of speaking truth to power – it is truly depressing.

      The magnitude and extent of distorted and outright untrue stories published by the press – those entrusted with the sacred role of speaking truth to power – it is truly depressing.
      One important takeaway from this is to be aware of how the many opinions are formed and to understand that people are not fully to blame if they have a distorted picture of the world.  I learned this lesson years ago when I would sometimes watch the television news in Israel.  I would see Israel TV reporting on a certain event that happened that day.  Then I would see Jordan TV reporting on what seemed to be a completely different event, as their recounting of the story and analysis was completely at odds with the Israeli version.   Similarly, when one gets most of their information from the Wall Street Journal and Fox news, they are being fed a completely different narrative of what are purported to be the same events from what the purveyor of the New York Times and ABC/NBC/CNN will receive.  It is no wonder that the two receivers of the conflicting reports will have completely different views and opinions about politics, ethics, and virtually all important current events.
      (Personally, I believe that Fox and the WSJ do try to provide more balanced coverage, and have both liberal and conservative voices in their reporting, although their pundits are heavily conservative.  But I know that those with a liberal bent will disagree with me.)

      Additionally, I reflect with sadness on how easy it is to get sucked into all the back and forth of these disputes, and how much time it takes away from more important things.  I think that it is vital that we educate ourselves on what is going on in the world, and important that we do our civic duty and vote with the best information we have.  But one has to set limits and make sure that the passion that is generated in this area does not steal away our time for Torah, family, and personal growth.
      Finally, it is evident that Truth is not easy to perceive nor decide upon.   In the Parshiyot we are about to read, much of the narrative revolves around our father Jacob, who is described often in the Rabbinic literature as the paragon of Emes/Truth.  תתן אמת ליעקב.  However, as it is well known, on a surface level Jacob seems anything but the man of Truth, conniving and plotting to fool Eisav, Lavan, Eisav again, Shechem . . . many have been troubled that not only is Jacob not criticized for this, but it held out as the man of truth.
      Much has been written on this topic (here, here, and here for example), and it is beyond the scope of this essay to discuss it properly.  But one thought that we can reflect on is that truth can be viewed from different perspectives.   Those who wish to distort the truth can find many ways to create situations such that the actions of those standing for the truth are characterized as being fraudulent.  It is difficult to find real truth in this ???? ????? (World of Deceit) , but one must try one’s best to ignore the distortions and recognize them for what they are, and align themselves with truth as best they can.

רבן שמעון בן גמליאל אומר, על שלושה דברים העולם קיים

 על הדין, על האמת, ועל השלום

By three things the world is sustained: Justice, Truth and Peace.  (Avot 1:18)

      Three values, intimately intertwined.  If there is no peace, and no justice, there will be little truth.  Let us hope that – this time – people will make accept that the elections have been run with justice, that they will seek to find avenues to get along in peace, and that more truth and less falsehood will emerge in the narratives going forward.

Knowing One's Place

(This article appeared in the Jewish Press)
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After a pleasant Shabbat in Lavon – a welcome break from the manic pre-election climate both in Israel and in the USA – I turned on my computer only to find two bad news items – one horrific, and the other sad.

The horrific one, of course, was the terrible tragedy in Pittsburgh, resulting in Eleven dead Jews and six injured by the vicious actions of the monster Robert Bowers, may his name be blotted out.  There are no words to describe the depth of evil this represented, on a par with some of the worst terrorist atrocities here in Israel.  I could only imagine how frightening it must have been for those who were at the Shabbat morning service and their loved ones.

The sad news was the identity of the person behind the wave of pipe bombs sent to prominent Democrats. I had been quite convinced that we were seeing a false flag operation, as any Trump supporter with a brain larger than a cockroach would surely know that targeting Democrats with bombs would hurt – not help – Republicans come November 6. But it appears at this point that the culprit was indeed a Trump supporter.

I believe it noteworthy that these two acts were perpetrated by opposites – the one in Pittsburgh by a violently anti-Trump monster, and the pipe bombs by a pro-Trump monster.

As we know all too well by now, various people will be quick to place the blame for violence on President Trump, while others will place the blame for the violent environment on opponents of President Trump.  I believe it noteworthy that these two acts were perpetrated by opposites – the one in Pittsburgh by a violently anti-Trump monster, and the pipe bombs by a pro-Trump monster.

What should be clear, however,  is that both sides are to blame for too much violent rhetoric, and that instead of blaming the “other side”, both sides need to find a way to return to a civil discourse, and to find ways of disagreeing politically without the demonizing and hatred that has engulfed America.

I am all for passionate argument and of taking a stand for what one believes in.  But perhaps we can learn from our Patriarch how to advocate properly, and how to know when to desist.

We just read in the Sidra of Vayera about Avraham’s heroic argument to save Sodom.  (That alone should give us pause – who among us would powerfully pray that the absolutely wicked be spared G-d’s wrath?)  His prayer is prefaced by the words 

וַיִּגַּשׁ אַבְרָהָם וַיֹּאמַר הַאַף תִּסְפֶּה צַדִּיק עִם רָשָׁע

And Abraham approached and said, "Will You even destroy the righteous with the wicked? (Breishis 18:23)

Rashi comments on the use of the term “Vayigash” (And Avraham approached) that we find this word used when approaching to do battle, to mollify, and to pray; Avraham approached here with all three intentions.  While the second two intentions would be expected, the first is quite surprising – and out of character for Avraham, the man of love and kindness.  His words to Hashem are accusatory and harsh – it is frankly shocking that a human being who is the greatest of believers would veritably accuse Hashem of acting unjustly!  Truly words of “battle” against G-d, if one could use that term.  "Will You even destroy the righteous with the wicked?”  How could You!  More passionate words of protest were never spoken!

At the end of this mighty battle of words, we find 

וְאַבְרָהָם שָׁב לִמְקֹמוֹ

And Abraham returned to his place

Why did the Torah need to point this out?
I heard a beautiful interpretation of this verse from Rav Mordechai Elon, who cited the Mishna in Avos listing the 48 ways of acquiring Torah, the value of

הַמַּכִּיר אֶת מְקוֹמוֹ

One who recognizes his place. (Avot 6:6)

The idea the Mishna is conveying is that too often people have either an insufficient, or grandiose, idea of "their place".   Some people suffer from low self-esteem, and thus do not aspire to the greatness which they ought to achieve.  Others have grandiose notions of their importance, and arrogantly do not recognize that they are out of place in their self-aggrandizement.  A wise person knows where they belong, and strives not to be an iota less than their true potential, while at the same time not imagining themselves as standing beyond it.

In this story, mild-mannered Avraham would normally never dream of challenging G-d, certainly not in a harsh and accusatory fashion.  But he felt that such an injustice was about to happen, that he could not – he must not! – remain silent.  And so, challenge he did, forthrightly and fearlessly did he engage in a battle, while at the same time never forgetting whom he was addressing.

But when it was finished, and he realized that any further argument was futile, “Avraham returned to his place”.   He knew that the time for that stance was over, and he returned exactly to whom he was before the crisis; so much so that not long after we read of his total unquestioning subservience at the Akedah.

There are insane monsters out who will only take such talk, on both sides,  as an excuse to carry out their nefarious deeds.

Current events are, of course, vastly removed from the holy thoughts and actions of Avraham Avinu.  But it seems to me that the shocking events of this past week should give us all cause that perhaps the passionate arguments on all sides have gone as far as they should – and beyond.   It is time to “know our place”, to simmer down, to recognize that our political disputants are not evil, and that any hint of violent action or talk is totally out of bounds.  There are insane monsters out there who will only take such talk, on both sides,  as an excuse to carry out their nefarious deeds.

May we come together and reunify as a nation, and restore civility and polite discussion and end the bitter personal vituperative attacks, or we all lose.