The hostage deal before us is very bad, I have nothing good to say about it on a policy level.
Many are preoccupied with pointing fingers and determining who is to blame for the situation. It is important to remember that in the long term reality is constantly progressing and has ups and downs, and there will also be ups in the future; the positive actions of each person add up to a large account.
I don't want to deal here with who is to blame; instead, to analyze the mental steps that led to this deal, in order to learn and draw lessons.
In the group here we do not deal with politics and political moves in their superficial and external sense, but mainly with the ideas that stand behind them.
Every political move is the product of a whole world of ideas that led to it.
First, in order to produce a hostage deal 'at any cost', the value of the hostages had to be enhanced as the sole, most important value, and that it not drop off the public agenda.
Wherever you turn your gaze you will come across some kind of display on the subject.
It is important to emphasize – we all think that the return of the kidnapped is a very great value.
But not at any cost.
Worshiping one value while erasing all other values is the definition of serving other gods or idolatry.
In every decision in Judaism there is complexity and a variety of values that must be taken into account. And in our case: what do we get in return? Will all the abductees come home or only some? How many terrorists are released? Has Hamas already paid a sufficient price? Will they take more hostages in the future? and more.
But in order to blur all the values, only one value had to be left in the mind: the hostages.
For this purpose, a campaign was created, which will be taught in advertising classes, that focused on the hearts of the people and calls anyone who opposes the deal at any price a 'heartless person', and anyone who calls for absolute victory a 'fascist'. The deal is the light, and every other suggestion is darkness.
Many people who do not understand manipulation, could not deal with this accusation. They had to prove their loyalty and wear the pin on the lapel of their clothes, while telling themselves: "I am for the hostages but against a deal at any cost", without any understanding of how public consciousness is moved, and that they are a part of the mind games.
At the same time, the headquarters of the hostages hired a consultant especially for the national religious sector. Not to convince them for a deal at any cost, G-d forbid, but only to invite them to prayers and tours (did you know that a person who shapes consciousness is paid a lot of money?).
Do you know a rabbi who would oppose prayer and a tour? What harm can come from prayer? Some rabbis thought they were just praying and it had no effect on the political moves, out of a lack of understanding how public moves are promoted and the power of public consciousness.
Even for those who participated in such prayers, thinking that it would not affect them, it dulled their senses and made them over time not strongly oppose the deal.
Some of my friends who were partners in these moves told me: "It's clear that I'm in favor of a complete victory, there's no need to say that."
So let me say something novel: in postmodern culture it is a novelty to state the obvious.
If you don't constantly talk about the self-evident basics, they disappear from consciousness. For those who like to say only the non-obvious, it's a good idea to also state the obvious and the eternal values, because no one talks about them anymore. There is a constant erosion of national and religious values, and if they are not said in the public sphere, they disappear from consciousness. Ask the people for whom this is their profession.
Some conclusions and a short investigation from this event:
* The term 'unity' is sometimes a cover for preparing a political move. Pay attention to what you are taking part in.
* The expression 'the rift in the people' that we were warned about, always applies only when the Left side is 'hurt'. Now, when the Right is angry and dissatisfied with the deal, isn't this a 'rift in the people'? It is important to pay attention to language games.
* A political move is a product of public consciousness. Public consciousness is made up of many small incidents, even those that seem innocent. You should develop critical thinking.
* There are rabbis, military personnel, politicians, public figures and journalists, whose past experience shows that they do not have a public orientation or a developed sense of critical thinking in this field. It's perfectly fine, the talents are scattered among the people of Israel and not everyone needs to be an expert in every field.
* Were you part of the process? Were you mistaken? Take responsibility; tell the public that you were misled; do some soul searching.
* Also, state the obvious: Don't carry out public experiments—there are consequences.
* Strengthen the eternal values; we need to talk about them all the time. Particularly the spiritual people and the spiritual elite should engage in this in the public sphere. Nothing is more under attack in the public mind than the values of Judaism and nationalism.
Among the few who constantly spoke out against the hidden message of the pin and the 'unity meetings' were the members of the group here. The readers and the writers.
Surely you too have been accused of gratuitous hatred, an evil eye and a lack of understanding of complexities.
But since we are in the world of ideas and influence, we knew that if this continued it would be difficult to oppose a dangerous deal.
The motives of the members of the group are love of Israel and national responsibility, even if sometimes we write aggressively and are 'party poopers', we are speaking against projects that hide behind the mask of 'unity' that blinds the eyes and does not allow one to tell the truth.
Since the beginning of the war I have done over two hundred days in the reserves; The symbol of the IDF uniform is my 'pin', which takes into account the values of returning hostages while risking my life; and also to eliminate terrorists and prevent future hostage-taking.
Let's not fall for the manipulations and let's not take part in the mind games. We will grow a backbone, establish a stable moral anchor that cares for the future of the country, develop critical thinking and strengthen the mind. And most importantly, we will believe in the greatness of our soul.
With G-d's help, the reality is advancing, the nation of Israel is advancing, the achievements must be preserved and the lessons learned.
