This past weekend, I made every effort to avoid the #NoKings protest because I had a strong vision of what it would look like: Keffiyah scarf accessories, signs proclaiming Trump deserves to die, etc. Despite my intentions, however, I ended up in midtown, walking to the subway, and had to navigate a path across the protest. So there I was, at the protest. What I saw was disappointing, albeit not shocking.
As I approached, I heard a man screaming, “Trans lives matter! Black lives matter! Immigrant lives matter!” His voice was a blood-curdling scream, pitching into cracking, oozing with rage. I felt the desire to cover my ears. People screamed back. Signs everywhere proclaimed messages like “Fuck the Feds” and “No one is illegal on stolen land.” Women wore hats that simply said “Abortion.”
I went home feeling thoroughly repulsed. While, on the one hand, I was pleased that the protest was peaceful (and hopeful participants let off some steam), I hung my head in sadness. The Democratic party—the party I grew up thinking I would be part of forever—has become characterized by fear and hatred, two extremely destructive emotions.
At home, with a few hours left of Shabbat, I opened my new book, Jewish Wisdom by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin. Chapter 28, “The Terrible Toll of Hatred,” contained relevant wisdom. Telushkin draws attention to the destruction of the Temple—one of the most tragic events in Jewish history. He cites the Talmud: “Why was the First Temple destroyed in 586 BCE? Because of three offenses committed by the Jews: idolatry, sexual immorality, and murder. But why was the Second Temple destroyed in 70 CE, given that Jews studied Torah, kept commandments, and performed charity? Because groundless hatred was prevalent. This teaches us that groundless hatred equals the three sins of idolatry, sexual immorality, and murder.”
Telushkin shares that when he studied at Yeshiva University, Rabbi Kreiser asked why the Temple was destroyed again, for a seemingly lesser sin. Kreiser answered that when people commit terrible crimes, as in the First Temple generation, an enormous punishment causes them to repent. But people guilty of groundless hatred never acknowledge their sin. “Ask them if they think it is wrong to hate their opponents and they will tell you why their adversaries are worthy of being hated.” Consequently, they never repent. Thus, we are still not worthy of having the Temple rebuilt.
He concludes the chapter by sharing a vivid medieval Jewish story that illustrates the destructive nature of hate: An angel appears to a man, promising to return in thirty days to grant one wish, with the condition that the man’s despised neighbor will receive double the wish. Unable to tolerate his neighbor’s gain, the man spends the month consumed by bitterness. When the angel returns, he says, “I wish for you to put out one of my eyes.”
Telushkin cites a Hebrew proverb to explain, “Hatred makes the straight crooked,” explaining, “People who hate don’t see straight. Describe a good act by a person they despise, and they'll explain why it's evil or ill-intentioned.”
I must say, I often see glimmers of this on the left. Sometimes, it seems no matter what President Trump does, it’s worthy of contempt and loathing. I’ll go a step further and say that among most people I know on the left, I don’t think I have ever heard a *single* comment of agreement or even basic respect for our President. When people are filled with so much blanket contempt, how can I take their opinions seriously? I do not see them as “thinking straight.”
People on the right often refer to this phenomenon as Trump Derangement Syndrome (aka TDS). While the term is funny at first glance, it becomes less funny when you accept the extent to which this “syndrome” has infected the modern Left. The Left is indeed filled with “derangement” vis-à-vis Trump. “Orange Man Bad” has become a rallying cry.
In my opinion, this is partly why the Democrats lost the election. Vice President Harris tried to embrace a theme of “Joy,” yet there was virtually nothing joyful emanating from her speeches. I watched her interviews repeatedly and observed that she could not stop spewing anger and hatred toward Trump. This can be mobilizing, but ultimately, hatred is neither attractive nor inspiring. It is negative, and it is dark.
People seek light, vision, and courage. They seek leaders who can show the path forward. It is easy to point out everything that is wrong. It is much harder to lead. And this is what I believe the modern Left needs more than anything right now - leaders with positive, practical messages on how they plan to make our country (and the world) a better place.
What is the antidote to hate? Rabbi Telushkin references the Babylonian Talmud, telling a story about a Rabbi whose neighborhood was troubled by criminals. He prayed daily for their deaths, until his wife Beruria challenged him. She encouraged him, rather than praying they die, to pray they repent and cease wrongdoing. Telushkin says this story corrects the common human instinct to pray for punishment on those who've hurt us. We should instead pray that they cease harming others, thus no longer deserving punishment.
I do not see this impulse to pray for redemption on the Left. Instead, I frequently see an impulse to hurt or eliminate Donald Trump. Even elected officials have posted imagery invoking violence against the President.
I’m sick and tired of hearing about our “fascist” and “tyrannical” president. These terms are being misused, thereby diminishing the credibility of those who employ them. While I disagree with many of Trump's actions—and I don't feel a particular warmth toward him—ultimately, as an American, I wish and pray for our nation to thrive.
We have a “No Kings” day in America—July 4th. That is when we celebrate our brave forefathers who fought and died to free us from the monarchy. To imply Trump is a “King” reveals more about the Left’s misunderstanding of history than anything else. Mussolini, Stalin, Hitler—these are leaders who turned on their people, committing atrocities beyond understanding. The fury I see today says more about the Left’s lack of positive vision than anything else. There is a vacuum of purpose and mission, and this vacuum is being filled with contempt.
Ultimately, people seek leaders who can illuminate a path forward. It is easy to sit in the back of the room and point fingers at everything wrong; it is much harder—and much more necessary—to offer solutions, hope, and inspiration. This is what I believe the modern Left needs more than anything right now: leaders who replace fear with courage, and contempt with compassion.
As the Talmud reminds us, hatred makes the straight crooked. It distorts our vision and clouds our judgment. My hope—and prayer—is that we can find leaders who help us, as Americans, to see clearly and move forward together.
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