The War of Words

In this week’s Torah portion, Parsha Matot, we delve into the power and sanctity of words. The portion begins with a significant verse emphasising the importance of keeping one’s vows and the weight of spoken commitments. This teaching resonates deeply, especially in today’s world, where words often shape our realities and perceptions. As you read this blog, you’ll come to understand the crucial role words play in our lives and our responsibility in wielding this power.

This war of words is no more apparent than in the case of media bias against Israel; indeed, this week, we had great examples of this with the BBC (again). The impact of such bias is not just significant; it’s deeply concerning. Here, I want to highlight https://honestreporting.com  , a leading organisation that has for many years been at the forefront of exposing the media’s lies and biases against Israel.

In the featured video, Media Bias Against Israel – with HonestReporting’s Gil Hoffman, you’ll see the real impact of this bias and be motivated to act against it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBS0D6Fto9c

Summary of Parsha Matot

Parsha Matot opens with the laws concerning vows and oaths, highlighting the seriousness with which one must regard their spoken word. It then describes the Israelites’ war against the Midianites and the subsequent division of the spoils. The portion concludes with the tribes of Reuben and Gad requesting to settle on the east side of the Jordan River, which Moses initially opposes but eventually agrees to, provided they assist in the conquest of Canaan.

Words Matter

One of the opening verses of this week’s Torah portion addresses the significance of words:

אִישׁ֩ כִּֽי־יִדֹּ֨ר נֶ֜דֶר לַֽיהֹוָ֗ה אֽוֹ־הִשָּׁ֤בַע שְׁבֻעָה֙ לֶאְסֹ֤ר אִסָּר֙ עַל־נַפְשׁ֔וֹ לֹ֥א יַחֵ֖ל דְּבָר֑וֹ כְּכׇל־הַיֹּצֵ֥א מִפִּ֖יו יַעֲשֶֽׂה׃

“If a householder makes a vow to יהוה or takes an oath imposing an obligation on himself, he shall not break his pledge; he must carry out all that has crossed his lips.”

While this verse specifically addresses vows, commentaries extend this principle to encompass all speech. The Torah places great emphasis on words; verbal blessings hold significant power, and one must avoid uttering curses and be mindful of their speech. Our words in personal interactions, whether with our children, spouses, or colleagues, can have profound consequences. Just like toothpaste cannot be put back into the tube, words once spoken cannot be taken back.

Rabbi Sacks eloquently wrote about the sanctity of words in society, describing how words create a “covenantal society.” Our trust and moral fabric are woven from the words we speak and the promises we keep, differentiating us from other creatures.

The Contemporary War of Words

This week, just after Shabbat, we encountered distressing news about the tragic deaths of ten or more children in Majdal Shams, a Druze town in the Golan. The media’s portrayal of such events often twists the truth, showcasing the ongoing “war of words.” This war extends across social media, political arenas, and international platforms like the United Nations. There’s a duplicity in how words are used to portray Israel negatively despite the country’s efforts for peace and security.

Just look at the way the BBC portrayed these events, painting Israel as the bad guy!!

On the same page, they headlined, “Israeli strike on the Gaza Schools “kills 30”: this is what actually happened.

“ IDF takes out Hamas command centre embedded in Gaza school

Hamas sets up a command centre and weapons storage inside Khadija School in central Gaza; IDF eliminates the terrorists and neutralises the command centre..”

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/393695

Luckily, I was not the only one who had noticed. Indeed, the BBC is one of the bodies that received the most severe criticism after publishing a headline stating ‘ten dead in a rocket attack on occupied Golan Heights.”  Note the choice of words kills vs dead in the two headlines used by the BBC. The Foreign media has drawn harsh criticism for their choice of words in their coverage of the rocket strike in Majdal Sham.

Hiding the truth – supporting the bad

Another example is that the United States continues to fund the Palestinian Authority despite its controversial “pay-for-slay” policy, which is both immoral and contrary to American law. This hypocrisy is evident in the global narrative, where words are wielded as weapons to undermine Israel.

Additionally, we are a small nation of less than ten million people, surrounded by enemies who openly declare their desire to eliminate us. The phrase “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” translates to a call for the eradication of Israel and its Jewish population. The political landscape is also shifting, with many left-wing governments around the world increasingly adopting anti-Israel stances. Countries like the US, Canada, Japan, Australia, and Britain are sanctioning individuals and “settlers” based on biased narratives, ignoring historical facts and the truth.

The Physical and Economic Burden of War

Given the current state of affairs, it is easy to succumb to despair. We are on the brink of a full-scale war, having endured nine months of conflict with Hezbollah, during which thousands of rockets and drones have been launched at us. The response to these drones is still under development. This conflict has displaced 80,000 Israelis from their homes in the north, resulted in over 50 deaths, and caused extensive damage to homes, forests, and infrastructure. The tourism industry, particularly in the north, has been decimated, with the overall number of tourists coming to Israel plummeting from 533,200 in June 2023 to 97,700 in June 2024.

Beyond the war of words, we are also facing an economic and financial war. Our enemies know that, as a small country, we cannot sustain a prolonged conflict. The economy is struggling under the weight of war, and it often feels like things are only getting worse.

Sharing the Burden of War and Economic Strain

In this week’s parsha, we have Moses addressing the tribes of Gad and Reuben sternly about sharing the burden of war, saying:

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֔ה לִבְנֵי־גָ֖ד וְלִבְנֵ֣י רְאוּבֵ֑ן הַאַֽחֵיכֶ֗ם יָבֹ֙אוּ֙ לַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה וְאַתֶּ֖ם תֵּ֥שְׁבוּ פֹֽה׃

“Moses replied to the Gadites and the Reubenites, ‘Are your brothers to go to war while you stay here?'”

Today, the need for all segments of society, including young Haredis, to share the burden of defence is more critical than ever. Conscripting Haredi soldiers is not just a political issue but an opportunity for national unity and growth. Integrating Haredis into the army and workforce could have significant economic benefits for both these young men and the nation, as noted by the Ministry of Finance. Each 1,000 Haredi soldiers save the economy NIS 1.3 billion annually, highlighting the potential positive impact on both security and economic stability.

Globes reported, “Since the Haredi community is expected to make up almost a third of Israel’s population by 2065, addressing this issue is crucial for the future of the Israeli economy. Without their inclusion in the job market, a 13% annual GDP loss is anticipated, along with the need to raise direct taxes by 16%. The more immediate concern is the security implications. The demands of war are straining the IDF’s manpower, leading to calls for an extension of mandatory service, which would cost NIS 6.35 billion annually and delay the careers of many young Israelis. Extending reserve duty would also impose additional financial burdens, estimated at NIS 10 billion annually.” https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-treasury-every-1000-haredi-soldiers-will-save-nis-13b-annually-1001484474

Finding the resilience

Amid the physical, economic, and verbal battles we face, let us draw strength from our history and faith. Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski offers a profound reminder of resilience and hope:

“Our own personal histories should be a source of strength to us. Each of us has had times when we felt extremely discouraged and could not see the light at the end of the tunnel. Yet we emerge from these episodes and experience joy in life. We must remember these episodes when difficult days come. We ask ourselves, why should this time be any different? Granted that we may be in severe distress at this particular moment. But we should remember that we have had similar ordeals in the past, and this, too, shall pass.”

Conclusion

The power of words, as emphasised in Parsha Matot, remains profoundly relevant today. Our speech shapes our society, influences perceptions, and can either build or destroy trust. In a world where words are often used to twist truths and fuel conflicts, it’s imperative to remember the Torah’s teachings about the sanctity of speech. By standing by our words and ensuring they align with truth and morality, we can strive for a more just and unified society.

Rabbi Twerski’s wisdom teaches us that even in the darkest times, we have the capacity to endure and emerge stronger. By upholding the sanctity of our words and remaining steadfast in our commitments, we contribute to a society grounded in trust, morality, and resilience. Let us face the challenges ahead with faith and determination, knowing that our shared history of overcoming adversity will guide us through these trying times.