The Golden Age of Conflict

Now it is clear that much of the entire world is affected by the same level of conflict and vitriol.

Both in America, Israel and the entire world there is little agreement on anything these days. Perhaps it has always been this way, but obviously the advent of social media has catapulted everything to the forefront in rapid time. There is deep disagreement on many fundamental tenets, with little consensus to be found and varying views on what is even true anymore.

Examples abound:

a)  In America, Democrats and Republicans continue their longstanding disagreements about many issues, including border security/rights of immigrants,  level of abortion access, access to firearms, etc. Even more than specific policy arguments, there is an overarching rhetoric over which party and their presumptive leader will be “a threat to democracy” and which party has allowed for more death and destruction over the past several years. There would not seem to be any more two-sided debate than this.

b) Within the Democrat party, there is fundamental disagreement over Joe Biden’s electability and suitability for continued office.

c) On the world stage, there is stark disagreement about the International Court’s rulings regarding Israel. Israel-supporters dismiss the rulings out of hand and vow to ignore them, while those that support the court see these decisions as monumental and ripe for implementation.

d)  Obviously, Israel itself is now sadly becoming more divided: Haredim and their critics cannot agree on fundamental issues like the role of national defense on a theological level, as well as practical issues such as the need to serve. There is a debate in the greater Orthodox community on whether the government has declared a “war on Torah”. Even questions like how much fear one should have of religious slippage in the army is up for debate. (There are some figures like Rabbi Dovid Leibel who is trying to bring national service as a palatable option for Chareidim. One hopes that him and his ideas will be heeded and not shouted down, but that possibility remains unclear.

(https://vinnews.com/2024/07/18/spiritual-rules-for-new-charedi-brigade-being-formulated-by-rabbi-leibel-and-idf/ ).

Debates since the beginning of the War continue regarding the priority of hostages vs. withdrawing before “totally destroying” Hamas’ capabilities. And many, many more. Probably 100’s of these kinds of fundamental disagreements world-wide.

Those that study the Talmud and the Code of Jewish Law know that there are disputes on every page. Some of the arguments regard technical minutiae whereas others center around more fundamental issues. The difference though is that these disputants agree about the nature of Divine revelation and the binding nature of Rabbinic Law. The arguments are just about the understanding of these edicts and principles.

This kind of disagreement is “for the sake of heaven” because it predicates itself on shared understanding on the world around them. Not so, the debates we seem to be having now, as humanity.

Expect more vitriolic debate to appear in the future, especially as more people join social media platforms like X in which free speech is allowed and views on all types of topics are ever-present.

Everyone thinks that the truth is on their side and that everyone else is totally wrong. Disagreeing so deeply and passionately about the basics of life, morality and society makes for entertaining and stimulating subject matter, but sadly it also brings us further apart.