For a columnist, there’s no such thing as a bad reaction. Agreement feels good, of course, but disagreement is better than apathy, and bitter disagreement means, at the very least, that one’s managed to say something. Thus, over the past few months, I’ve relished the opportunity to engage with smart critiques of my opinions on Israel, spirituality, authenticity and other subjects, and have been gratified by the seriousness with which these conversations have proceeded.
But then there are the angry ones, comments and letters filled with invective, superlatives and rage. This is hardly unique to the Forward, of course: Much of the phenomenon is just due to technology — the immediacy and anonymity of the “Comment” feature on the Internet encourages one to respond in the heat of the moment, and with as much fire as possible. Personally, I can take it. But some of it, and the worst of it, is a distinctively religious, perhaps distinctively Jewish form of indignation, which clothes incivility in the pious garb of religion.
The process is simple. Justify your temper tantrum in Jewish values, and suddenly it becomes valid. Our rage is righteous, backed up by ancient values, and in defense of Very Important Things. Pettiness dresses itself up in pseudo-piety, and religion becomes little more than a cover for infantile behavior.
Now, most of us would agree that we shouldn’t sweat the small stuff. But I want to make a stronger claim: that even when there is a viable religious pretext, getting angry is a personal failing, not a religious value. Some people believe that anger is a good product of religion. But I think it’s something religion is meant to fix.
At this juncture, I could provide an array of proof-texts supporting my position that anger is a bad thing. The Talmud compares anger to idolatry. Even God practices anger management. The ways of Torah are the ways of peace. And so on. But I want to be up-front that the Jewish tradition is schizophrenic on this point. What about the story of Pinchas, who kills an interfaith couple on the spot? Or Moses killing an Egyptian overseer in a fit of rage? Or heroic stories of Jewish resistance and activism, from Masada to Warsaw to Jerry Rubin and Abbie Hoffman? After all, “Turn the other cheek” is Christianity, not Judaism.
Clearly, both calm and indignation are valued within the Jewish tradition and, indeed, within all religions. Yes, Jesus said to turn the other cheek, but he also said he came with a sword — an image not lost on generations of sword-bearing Crusaders, inquisitors and bigots. Yes, Islam means “the way of submission,” but the Quran also includes passages about killing infidels. Religions reflect the diversity of their adherents, and contain within them messages of both violence and peace, both anger and quiescence. Religions value both.
Moreover, while some would say that religions evolve on this point, that is a selective reading of history. Zealotry is no less with us today than it was a millennium ago, and while we may no longer behead and impale, we as a species detonate and fulminate as never before. Indeed, like many, I’ve often wondered whether the good in religion outweighs the bad. I am convinced that religion can be a source of compassion, and can inspire us to calm the fires of hatred. But it is also plainly obvious that religion also encourages tightness, clinging, ethnocentrism, fear, guilt and defensiveness, and coats all of them with a patina of the holy. And there’s no question that religion is often used as a cover for nationalism, sexism, homophobia, anti-rationalism and ignorance in general.
So, rather than pretend that my view is the authentic Jewish one (a favorite claim of the indignant), I want to make a substantive case against indignation: I want to argue that anger is a problem rather than a solution, that curbing anger is connected to the essential values of Judaism and that, I think, doing so is needed to save the world.
Last point first: Indignation is bad for the world. Can one really believe that more righteous indignation is needed today? Indignation is generally about being fixed upon particulars: this value, this land, this idea. Such fixity hardens the heart, freezes the mind. It does indeed provide a sense of solidity and security: Amid ever-shifting circumstances, you know where you stand. But while these ideals may have been valuable once upon a time, when Israelites were an embattled minority, or when Jews were threatened with persecution and extinction, they are counterproductive today. To live together in a globalized, pluralistic, multicultural world, we need less turf possessiveness and less defensiveness — not more. Righteous indignation has outlived its usefulness.
Second, it’s simply not the case that getting more irate about something — even if that something is religion, Israel, or injustice — will help solve the problem. Motivation and moral indignation may be allies, of course, and we should take stands, be politically active and articulate our beliefs. But anger? It may indeed play well on Fox News, but anger exacerbates, rather than ameliorates, discord and division. It makes it difficult to make prudent, rational policy choices. It vulgarizes, excites and distracts.
We know this from our own lives. I don’t know about you, but when I’m angry, I make the stupidest choices of my life. They feel right in the moment, and I can talk myself back into “the moment” by re-angering myself over and over again. But they tend not to hold up in the light of calm reflection. The same goes for decisions made on communal, national or international scales.
Third, in addition to being harmful to cooperation and unhelpful in focusing the moral conscience, indignation is a personal spiritual failing. It’s undignified, and should be beneath us as civilized human beings. Of course, this is not the case in our community. I’ve been amazed visiting the offices, synagogues and even homes of many highly regarded people and organizations in the past few years, to see what they put up with in terms of anger, gossip and backbiting. I’ve been in law firms where millionaire partners rant and rave like children. And I have to say, from the perspective of someone who grew up seeing a lot of anger, who has worked for years on my own anger with some success — these people are emotional infants. I know that their number includes some of our richest and most powerful leaders. But to me, being led by the psychological and spiritual equivalents of 98-pound weaklings shows a failure of communal values.
No matter how much rage is dressed up in religious rhetoric, it is a failure of religious consciousness. Whatever religion is, it’s not supposed to be an excuse for indulging our basest natures. Religion should inspire us to live up to our aspirations, not provide a convenient rationale for infantile rages. And the mere presence of a religious pretext does not justify incivility. People who rant are embarrassing.
I suspect they’re also in a great deal of pain. I know what it’s like to be angry all the time, because I used to be that way. And for me, religious and contemplative teachings are valuable precisely because they point the way out of that Egypt, that narrow place, into a space that is more accepting, spacious and loving. My Jewish practice is not about deifying anger; it’s about building the mental infrastructure to relax out of it. Judaism gives me tools: ritual, prayer, study, reflection, myth, food, the cycle of the year, connection to nature, meditation, spirituality and dozens more. The tradition tells me stories, reminds me that we are all humans in need of help, and inspires me to the side of the yetzer tov instead of the yetzer hara. Okay, anger arises; it happens. Now, what are you going to do about it?
Whereas, when religion is used simply to provide an exclamation point after our preference, it is indeed idolatry, replacing what is right with what I want. This is how it has to be, dammit! And I’m angry because it’s important! And that’s why being angry is good! This is the Moses who hits the rock instead of speaking to it, who smashes the tablets and who killed an Egyptian back in his youth. It is only human to feel this way sometimes. But I aspire to the Moses who sees the shadow of God and calls God gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and full of loving kindness.
I’m not there yet, by any means, but every tug in that direction is holy, and those in the opposite are not, even if they come arrayed in the garb of the pious.
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In my opinion, indignation is a powerful tool in the process of recognizing and defeating oppression. As I see it, your denial of the validity of indignation either means that you don't see it as an effective/valid tool in the pursuit of justice, or that you don't believe their can be an valid/authentic form of justice. Or maybe you just don't like indignation when it comes from the side who disagrees with you, and you weren't willing to say so...
Absolute garbage you idiot you make me so angry.(Purim response...)
Okay, so you change one superstition for another, you change the stories but fail to see that they are all man made fiction and myth. To the extent you are applying rational thought that is philisophy, to the extent you are applying your emotions and physicality that is materialism even if it is suppress your bodily activity. What that is not is truth just your perception of it, for example life after death experience is simply altered states of consciousness, for the same reason drugs and deprivation are part of religious practice. Shame you are not using your intellect to see that there never was an Abraham, never was a Jesus or Muhammed, that Sinai is myth, Jesus and the crucifiction is myth. If you had any perspective you would see that the saying you just attributed to Jesus were the sayings of Cynics and Stoics two very popular philosophies when the New Testament stories were being created. A mind is a terrible thing to waste.
I agree with Lonny. Anger is a very important tool in both spirituality and social activism. Put it this way, if it was your child, has v'halila, who had been raped by his rabbi, anger and indignation would be exactly appropriate.
The question is about what it is that makes haredim indignant. Calling women's prayer groups nazis, for example -- the problem there is that they see women praying as the equivalent of someone trying to annihilate the Jewish people. That's what's wrong. It's the narrative of history and society that is so fundamentally distorted. It's MISPLACED indignation that reveals what is so very wrong with haredi culture.
I have to agree with Jay on this one: We cling to the idea that anger is somehow righteous and helpful in bringing about a positive change in the world, but isn't this ultimately a delusion, a lie we tell ourselves to justify the dirty fact that it makes us feel good, despite the horrible effects it has on our lives and society?
Rage, incivility and violence don't change things for the good, they merely strengthen the degree of belligerence on the other side--an equal and opposite reaction.
Anger and violence are not one and the same. I agree that violence is wrong, but not all anger is violent. By contrast, verbal violence and manipulation can often be masked in a smile and a nice demeanor. Just look at the Motti Elon story -- he, like so many others like him, apparently used charm, charisma and a 'nice' demeanor to carry out a violent, hurtful act. It's not the anger that is the problem, it's the violence.
What makes you think that people who object to what you write are necessarily angry? A lot of us are right and are simply pointing out that you repeatedly are wrong.
You would make a very bad classroom teracher with your attitude.
Thank God that this gorgeous piece inspired me to rein in the anger stoked by comments disparaging it. Where really does the righteous indignation du jour, fueled by Fox T.V. and its liberal counterpart MSNBC or the Haredi or militant atheists like Bill Maher, really get us as a nation, a people, a planet? Jay throws down the gauntlet for us to commit to nurturing compassion rather than the rage fomented by pernicious self doubt. Michaelson articulates more eloquently than any writer I have read a strategy for living as a Jew at this time, in this world
You conflate anger with indignation - they are different. Judaism is plain as can be on this - anger is ALWAYS wrong, but indignation can be appropriate when cooly determined to be appropriate. Maimonides put it best in Hilchos Deos: In all ways choose the golden mean except anger - NEVER get angry. Act angry, sometimes, to make a point that won't be taken otherwise (such as with younger children who are not responsive to words but are to emotion). Also, you say "To live together in a globalized, pluralistic, multicultural world, we need less turf possessiveness and less defensiveness." Your logic is circular. That would be fine if you value pluralism. For someone who believes that leads to wishy-washy disintegration of meaningful character and loss of distinction of principles and values, ESPECIALLY in the face of the strengthening of pluralism, one MUST be defensive.
The suppression of Anger is a tool for those who oppress. Western Civilization constantly preaches that when someone gets angry, they lose. I suggest that one cornerstone of the drug industry is based upon the proposition. Depressed, take a pill. Angry, take a pill. Stay under control is translated into, "When your are angry, you are not under control." The subliminal message here is, I can control you if you are not angry, but if you get too angry, I will dispose of you through drugs, jail, or beat downs. Anger is the most misunderstood emotion in modern society. If the water doesn't boil, you can't cook the egg.
Jay, my friend, I think every one loved this artical, by far it is your best. Colin made a good point he stated that anger is somehow righteous and helpful in bring about a positive change in the world, what he stated was so true. The Trouble about bring about change, people just want to look at life on top, what is deeply rooted they can not pull away to make the change. I think of the words G-D gave Isaiah for us.... It is written in Isaiah.1...For you shall be ashamed of the oaks in which you delighted; and you shall blush for the gardens that you have chosen.
Jay, my walk with G-D started so young...and what was in my heart and mind, my family hated me for. My father sent me to a catholic school and I could not let this god in. This was a big problem in my life...so big for some one so little. They tryed to brake me, so many years...so much hurt, and not to hate them but to love them and pray always for them. I learned to keep silent, not telling what was on my mind or in my heart....I just went along, in life living with them and their god. Actions speak louder than words. I have grandaughters and one grandson...and they have spoken out, their my voice within the family and they know G-D as I do. One G-D, One House, and one can not enter unless you are in the state of peace. Read Gen. 28. My grandchildren are my blessing, and my sons, were such a great gift and G-D has toughed their life, I am so grateful. My sons think the same, but keep sielent. Two have gone to a catholic school and have not let this god into their hearts and came to me and said what do they do? I said, do not speak out, and G-D will lead you. We have not a place here on earth, but we have the house of G-D that we may enter in above in peace. We see the marvelous things G-D has planed long ago for us. David, and others seen the same thing, there was always a remnant found in every generation.
The Stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. Psalm 118. the temple of G-D, Gen. 28 inter in the state of peace. Abraham called that place the LORD WILL PROVIDE. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided." written in Gen. 22. Amos 9 the tabernacle of David. for it is written...Amos 9 In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old. We are that tent, covered with skin, having the thickly woven curtain, and the red curtain and the law written on our inward parts, both sides, above(in the house of G-D and below the earth were we keep the flame from the desire of G-D for us not to sin from going out, with the help of our Shepherd of Israel who leads his lost flock. We made a vow like Jacob did in Gen 28. The covenant of day and night the everlasting conenant, and the declare decree of the ordinances of heaven and earth. We have SET G-D AS A SEAL UPON OUR HEARTS.
I am old now and I do not know my family roots, for my blood is not of my sisters and brother... So, I stand, but I stand not alone, my G-D did not forget me or leave me in the darkness of my days. You have no idear what darkness is like when you see the light, and all you have grown to love, stand their looking into darkness and see nothing, having but one breath. My prayers compass mankind and I pray a new thing comes and embraces them, so that they may see and hear and walk again in the light of Jacob. My anger wars on evil, the lie and deceit that covers us like a skin, that needs to be taken off. G-D has not turned...so all mankind religions are all vanity...and all must look and uncover them selves to put the desire of G-D in the inward parts so that truth will make you to know wisdom in the hidden part. So that the fire of G-D'S own heart will lit your desire, to serve him day and night, and the ordomamces of heaven and earth will be given you. read Ps.51 and how David made war on evil in his life. Ps. 101:1-8.
Ezekiel 34...speaks of us, read the chapter. Ezekiel 34...a verse...Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between the cattle and cattle.
G-D has
I am not angry with you Jay. I just wish you'd be quiet about Israel. Not every feeling you have needs to be shared with the world. There are millions of Jews living in Israel. We'd rather not have your writing add a little bit to non-stop campaign to delegitmize us.
Please - just focus on other things.
Abbie Hoffman, far from being an example of an angry Jew, was the opposite. Where anger was rife in the anti-war protests of the Vietnam era, he substituted humor and a touch of ridicule. His opponents were the angry ones, guys like Richard Daley at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. They knew how to deal with rage and anger. They had no idea how to deal with ridicule or humor.
In moments of victory Abbie was similarly balanced. I recall talking with him at the 1972 Democratic National Convention, the one that nominated anti-war Senator George McGovern. He was happy about that minor victory, but hardly ecstatic or disdainful of those he had helped defeat in the contest. Anger and bitterness were just not a part of his persona.
When Abbie wanted to protest American capitalist excess, he did it with humor rather than angry rhetoric. He visited the New York Stock Exchange--you could observe trading from the balcony in those days--and showered the floor with dollar bills. The picture of stock traders scurrying to snatch the falling bills was a far more effective put-down than any angry shouts or signs would have been.
A good heart, a good man, a good Jew. Those of us who knew him wish he were still with us.
And now a message from our sponsor, (Dylan) Thomas' English Muffins:
Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height, Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
The poet Gerard Manley Hopkins used the phrase "forked lightning in a poem entitled "The Shepherd's Brow." Thomas, was from Wales, not England, but had an Irish heart.....Shakespeare, wrote something similar.
We're just tired of your leftist clap-trap, that's all. Who's angry? Rule number two of Judaism is not to be angry. (Rule number one is not to slander people which is what leftist lamestream journos do for a living).
Jay, we are not angry at you, but merely sad that your chosen profession of polymath and commentator has not worked out well for you. You need to explore alternatives. Daniel Gordis made mincemeat out of you in your previous exchange. I would move to Kvutzat Yavne and pick cucumbers and olives. You would be benefitting the work force and actually producing an item that consumers want.
First, I wonder if you read the talkbacks to your column. second, i wonder if any brought you to reconsider your words, thoughts, opinions. Thirdly, forgive me, but i found the article self-serving. Essentially, it came of as, "I may write whatever i want, express any opinion, but g-d forbid that you should be allowed to be pissed off and even more, express it.
Yes, talkbacks in almost all forums and on addressing any issue jewish or otherwise, reveals the low level of American intelligence and discourse. However, anger of the Azut d'Kedusha order is not only justified, but neccessary and critical. do you know what Azut d'Kedusha is? do you know the differences? It's an authentic Jewish idea and value.You won't read about it in the Federalist Papers nor even in The Forward.
Finally, what's really happening is that you inspire impassioned response. whether intelligently or respectfully offered or not, it is you who brings out these responses. You knew it would happen and there is a part of you that enjoys it. But here's the thing:
Your lack of passion betrays an ultimate take it or leave approach to all things Jewish. Tell us, if Israel ceased to exist, Chas V'Shalom tomorrow, how would your life be materially altered, aside from articles of lament, maybe a few tears? Would you change jobs? Don sackcloth and ashes and do T'Shuva? Would you get up earlier or later in the morning? Would you change your diet? Anything?
In other words, after all is said and done, what do you really care as long as you can stay comfortable in your own carefully constructed reality zone?
First, I wonder if you read the talkbacks to your column. second, i wonder if any brought you to reconsider your words, thoughts, opinions. Thirdly, forgive me, but i found the article self-serving. Essentially, it came of as, "I may write whatever i want, express any opinion, but g-d forbid that you should be allowed to be pissed off and even more, express it.
Yes, talkbacks in almost all forums and on addressing any issue jewish or otherwise, reveals the low level of American intelligence and discourse. However, anger of the Azut d'Kedusha order is not only justified, but neccessary and critical. do you know what Azut d'Kedusha is? do you know the differences? It's an authentic Jewish idea and value.You won't read about it in the Federalist Papers nor even in The Forward.
Finally, what's really happening is that you inspire impassioned response. whether intelligently or respectfully offered or not, it is you who brings out these responses. You knew it would happen and there is a part of you that enjoys it. But here's the thing:
Your lack of passion betrays an ultimate take it or leave approach to all things Jewish. Tell us, if Israel ceased to exist, Chas V'Shalom tomorrow, how would your life be materially altered, aside from articles of lament, maybe a few tears? Would you change jobs? Don sackcloth and ashes and do T'Shuva? Would you get up earlier or later in the morning? Would you change your diet? Anything?
In other words, after all is said and done, what do you really care as long as you can stay comfortable in your own carefully constructed reality zone?