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Hypocrisy is the greatest enemy of religious leaders. Fallen clergy are the stuff of legend already, let alone popular literature and investigative media. They are especially vulnerable because of their usual posture of moral self-righteousness and their penchant for criticizing sharply those whom they feel to be derelict in their behavior, policies or thoughts and attitudes. Thus when their faults are exposed it is not only they that fall but they take down the faith that they represent as well. The tendency in certain religious circles and society to glorify its leadership to the extent that these people become superhuman only exacerbates the vulnerability to the accusation of hypocrisy. The Hasmonean king, Alexander Yannai, is recorded in the Talmud as warning his son against those "who behave as Zimri but expect to be rewarded as though they were Pinchas." Hypocrisy was seen as a greater sin in public life than being a Saducee. For hypocrisy when revealed drags down the entire structures of idealism and morality that once were represented by this now newly discovered hypocrite. Religious leaders have to therefore be careful not only in their private behavior, for in our times all private behavior eventually becomes public knowledge, but in their public statements regarding matters of moral and human behavior patterns. The Talmud warned the wise men of Israel to be very circumspect in their statements and words. Overstatements lead to exposure. Creating idols out of men, no matter how worthy and holy they may be - and there are many such people still in our midst, thank God - is dangerous and against Torah principles. It certainly raises the specter of hypocrisy to a warning level.
The very recent fall from grace and office of political leaders in the United States because of their immoral behavior was hastened by the fact that they portrayed themselves as crusaders for family values, ethical business relationships and honesty in all matters of public and private behavior. This high standard promise and demand doomed them when their own failings were revealed to the public. The public loves to punish a hypocrite, to puncture the balloon of pompous self-righteousness and personal infallibility. The Torah teaches us that there are no perfect people extant. Even the righteous have failings and sins. This is meant to therefore create a spirit of humility in all humans, especially in those who find themselves in leadership and influential positions. Arrogance leads to brazen claims, overstatements, hasty judgments and great risks. Pride and hubris go before a fall. It is stated in the name of the Gaon of Vilna that he predicted that later generations would be dominated by external appearances and posturing and not by true inner beliefs and purer motives. The greater the emphasis on externals, the more likelihood of the accusations of hypocrisy will occur. It is possible to recover from mistakes, errors and foolish behavior. But it is almost impossible for the public person in any forum to recover from the charge of hypocrisy if proven against him or her
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The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
