Israeli Columnist Explores Moral Dilemmas, From Public Outrage to Rabbi Protests
Columnist Moshe Mans opens his morning commentary by reflecting on human dilemmas, starting with a personal experience on a bus. He recounts witnessing a young man verbally abusing his mother over the phone, sparking an internal debate about whether to intervene. Mans ultimately exited the bus before his stop, troubled by the uncertainty of the right course of action and questioning if silence equates to cowardice or prudence.
This personal dilemma is linked to a public issue: a sharp letter from rabbis condemning "Selichot" (penitential prayers) events that incorporate musical performances and large gatherings. The rabbis argue these events trivialize the solemnity of the period, which is meant for repentance and self-reflection, and raise concerns about modesty and sanctity. The column questions the effectiveness of such protests when the trend continues to grow, suggesting that sometimes speaking out is necessary to preserve the original meaning, even if immediate impact is unclear.
The commentary then shifts to broader themes of passive behavior and technological deception. It highlights an incident of a driver sleeping while his Tesla was in motion and references a viral video of a car crashing into a police vehicle in Pakistan during a test drive. The piece also details a past "scam of the century" involving a fraudulent bomb detector, the ADE 651, sold to Iraq for over $85 million, which ultimately provided a false sense of security and led to deadly consequences.
Finally, the column touches on a local absurdity involving the ultra-Orthodox Neturei Karta community in Beit Shemesh. Following an expansion of personal firearm permits, specific streets inhabited by Neturei Karta members were excluded due to security concerns about potential accidental shootings of police. This exclusion sparked outrage among the community, not because they desired the weapons, but because they objected to being denied the right to refuse them, ironically comparing their situation to seeking support from Iran's president.
