Rabbi Leo Dee Urges Unity and Reflection to Combat Baseless Hatred in Israeli Society
Rabbi Leo Dee draws inspiration from Hanan Ben-Ari's 2017 song "Wikipedia," which highlights the harmful stereotypes Israelis hold about each other, such as labeling leftists as traitors or settlers as murderers. The song's refrain, "Don't confine me in any cage, don't sum me up in Wikipedia," underscores the universal desire to be seen as individuals rather than reduced to labels. Rabbi Dee connects this message to the approaching Jewish period of mourning between the fast of the 17th of Tammuz and Tisha B'Av, the ninth of Av, when Jews commemorate the destruction of the two Temples. According to rabbinic teachings, the First Temple was destroyed due to severe sins, but the Second Temple fell because of baseless hatred among Jews.
He reflects on how this ancient lesson remains painfully relevant today amid Israel's ongoing multifront war and the heated political climate leading to another election. Public discourse often devolves into labeling entire communities, Haredim, secular Israelis, right-wing, or left-wing factions, based on singular issues, which deepens divisions. Rabbi Dee emphasizes that the danger lies not in disagreement itself but in reducing people to stereotypes and caricatures.
He shares a recent experience with bereaved families from diverse Israeli backgrounds who found unity by first focusing on shared values before discussing political differences. Rabbi Dee proposes adopting a simple practice: before engaging in any argument, pause and ask, "What unites us?" He notes that despite disagreements, all Israelis share hopes for their children's safety, the future of the Jewish people, and care for the State of Israel.
This brief moment of reflection, he argues, can shift the tone of conversations and serve as a small antidote to baseless hatred. As Tisha B'Av approaches, Rabbi Dee encourages everyone to remember their common bonds before debating, suggesting that while factionalism led to exile, understanding can bring the Jewish people back together. Rabbi Dee is an educator living in Efrat. His second book, "Seven Faces of Healing," is dedicated to his late wife Lucy and their daughters Maya and Rina, who were murdered by terrorists during Passover 2023. The book is available on Bookpod.
