Dear General Halutz,
You have served Israel for a very long time. I honor and appreciate that.As for Gush Shalom and your call to try them as traitors:
From the Harokeach, Eleazar Ben Judah of Worms said ” …cherish no toogood opinion of thyself, but lend thine ear to remonstrance and reproof. “
We all understand the passions of these desperate times when it is easyto fall upon each others throats, but those among us who point out ourmistakes, even taking steps to correct them, must be cherished perhapsmore than those who agree with us. When we walk our path isolated withinour own views, dangerous and terrible pressures may blind us to the deepchasm that lies ahead.
The same sage said ” Keep peace both within the city and without (whichmay mean also within oneself and with others), for it goes well with allthose who are counsellors of peace. ” And ” Cease to exalt thyself in thyown estimation, let none of thy failings appear small or triffling inthine own eyes, but all of them weighty and great. “
It is more important for leaders to reign in their passions and maintainbalance, and model judicious restraint, than it is for anyone else.Ben Zoma (an associate of R. Akiba) said ” Who is mighty? He who subsideshis passions; as it is said. He that is slow to anger is better than themighty, and he that ruleth over his spirit than he who taketh a city. “
It is a good thing to find one or more whom we trust, and in private havethem listen to us as we vent our angers and hatreds, our fears and ourgrief, fully. When we do this we clear the fog of passions from our mindsand are able to see a better path and wiser decisions. It is good toreturn the listening as well.
In gratitude for your devotion to Israel,
Jack Doner
Human, Jew, Psychotherapist