2022/5783

Politics as Ultra-Sheker

Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, the author of the Beit HaLevi, told his son Rav Chaim that politics are “Sheker”, falsehood. If so, responded the sharp-witted Rav Chaim, why not call politics “Sheker”? To this question the Beit HaLevi brilliantly responded “then there would be something truthful to politics.” The state of politics has recently deteriorated so severely that we sadly refer to it as “ultra-Sheker.”

Akavia ben Mahallalel – The Anti-Politician

There is a silver lining to this very gray cloud.  When we compare Torah and Torah personalities to politics, the Torah’s authenticity shines through.  The Tanna Akavia ben Mahallalel serves as the classic paradigm for devotion to Emet.  This Tanna maintained four unique Halachic views which were rejected by the overwhelming majority of his colleagues.  The Mishna (Eduyot 5:6) tells the following stunning story:  

They said to him: Akavia, retract these four things which you say, and we will make you the head of the court in Israel. He said to them: it is better for me to be called a fool all my days than that I should become [even] for one hour a wicked man before God.

The Chachamim were quite reasonable in making this demand from Akavia. After all, if he is to serve as the Av Beit Din (head of the Sanhedrin), he cannot be issuing rulings that counter the rabbinic opinion.  

Nonetheless, Akavia declined the prestigious appointment. He was concerned that his acquiescence to the majority view would be perceived as compromising his principles in order to achieve power. Therefore, Akavia refused a very prominent position in order to avoid Chillul Hashem.  

What a stark contrast there is between Akavia and typical politicians! The latter routinely deviate from any semblance of fidelity or principle in order to advance their careers. To Akavia, though, even just the appearance of compromising principle is anathema.

Akavia’s Death Bed

The Kiddush Hashem continues as the next Mishna recounts the scene of Akavia ben Mehallalel’s deathbed:  

At the time of his death he said to his son, “Retract the four opinions which I used to declare.” Akavia’s son then said to him, “Why did not you retract them?” Akvia responded, “I heard them from the mouth of the many, and the Chachamim heard [the contrary] from the mouth of the many. I stood fast by the tradition which I heard, and they stood fast by the tradition which they heard. But you have heard my tradition from the mouth of a single individual and their tradition from the mouth of the many. It is better to leave the opinion of the single individual and to hold by the opinion of the many.” His son said to him, “Father, commend me to your colleagues.” Akavia said back, “I will not commend you.” He said to his father, “Have you found in me any wrong?” Akavia answered, “No; your own deeds will cause you to be near, and your own deeds will cause you to be far.”

We would expect Akavia to order his son to continue to wage his war and make every effort to help his four unique views gain traction.  Instead, Akavia does the exact opposite when he tells his son not to continue in his path regarding these matters.  

Akavia’s life was devoted to promoting his own correct views. His agenda was only the Torah and the truth of Torah. He did not sacrifice his views when it was inappropriate to do but he did relinquish his ideas if it became the right thing to do.    

Akavia is transmitting to his son a powerful message of devotion to truth when he explains that he will not unjustly advance his son’s career. His son must legitimately earn his place among the great Rabbis. Nepotism and favoritism has no place in an authentic Torah environment.  

One can hardly imagine a single contemporary politician who lives up to the high standard set by Akavia. In the Torah world, one who acts like a politician to advance his standing will soon be discovered and disregarded. Even the most learned of rabbis will find people ignoring his views if he misuses Torah authority to advance his standing.

Rashi and Tosafot 

Akavia ben Mahallel’s authenticity and zealous pursuit of truth continued in the time of the Rishonim.  A number of times in their respective commentaries, Rishonim will admit to being incorrect. For example, Rashi raises a question regarding something that he candidly concedes he does not know the answer to.  Tosafot as well at times will raise a powerful question and openly acknowledge that they do not have an answer. When was the last time you heard a politician openly acknowledge that he does not know the answer to the question posed to them?  

An Interaction between Rav Baruch Simon and Rav Ovadia Yosef 

Rav Baruch Simon, a highly regarded Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshiva University, relates that he sat down next to Rav Ovadia Yosef when the latter visited Yeshiva University and ate at its cafeteria in 1991. Rav Simon posed a number of questions to Rav Ovadia, including how to determine that a Sukkah is not positioned under a tree – by eyesight or plumb line? 

Shockingly, Rav Ovadia responded that he does not know the answer.   Integrity on display!  What courage it took Rav Ovadia to not obfuscate and try to offer an answer!  

No wonder we Jews love the Torah! The Gemara (Shabbat 104a) teaches that falsehood does not stand the test of time, the truth does. In his humble admission of his inability to answer the question, Rav Ovadia demonstrates why his Halachic opinions are viewed as solid gold and continue to stand the test of time.  

Rav Yehuda Amital’s Stunning Humility

I myself have experienced true humility in all its glory first-hand. Here is one stunning example.  

Yeshivat Har Etzion’s two Roshei Yeshivah, Rav Amital and Rav Lichtenstein, would rotate in delivering a Shiur Kelali to the entire Yeshivah each week. These Shiurim were absolute masterpieces revealing the unmatched depth of Torah learning. The learning was so magnificent, I felt that even the Malachim and Hashem joined these Shiurim.  

In the winter of 1982, Rav Amital was delivering a superb Shiur Kelali when all of a sudden at about forty minutes into the Shiur, one of the older students raised a very powerful question. We were all expecting Rav Amital to respond with a commensurately compelling answer.  

To everyone’s surprise, Rav Amital exclaimed “Harasta Et HaShiur!” “you have destroyed the Shiur!” and promptly ended the lecture. I thought I had an answer and rushed to share my thoughts with Rav Amital and rescue the Shiur.  Rav Amital looked at me and said “Chaim, Hu Tzodek,” “Chaim, the student is correct in his question.”  At which time, Rav Amital asked me to help him return the many Sefarim he was using to their proper place.  

What honesty and integrity for a prominent rabbi to admit before five hundred students that someone thirty years his junior had bested him!  Most interestingly, Rav Amital did not seem upset at all after the incident. He even seemed quite pleased at his student’s success!  

I have had many such experiences in my many interactions with rabbis of note.  I trust that every advanced Yeshivah student has experienced similar events.  This is the Emet of Torah on glorious display.  This type of behavior is not at all part of today’s politician’s modus operandi.  

Conclusion

On weekend mornings we say towards the end of Shacharit, “Baruch Elkeinu SheHividilanu Min HaTo’im VeNatan Lanu Torat Emet,” “Blessed is Hashem Who separated us from those who stray and gave us the Torah of truth.”  From Akavia ben Mahallalel to Rashi to Rav Amital, each generation of authentic Torah leaders sets an example of absolute fidelity to Torah and Emet. While today’s politics makes us recoil in frustration and even disgust, it does provide a sharp contrast to the truth and integrity of Torah.  

Ashreinu Mah Tov Chelkeinu! How fortunate are we to learn Torah, love Torah, and live Torah.