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| R’ Nosson Kamenetsky, ZTL (Cross Currents) |
The purpose of political correctness
might seem noble. The intent is to not use terms about disadvantaged minorities that
have been used in disparaging or exclusionary ways. Which might be hurtful to
those minorities. The problem with that is that it is often taken to ridiculous
extremes. Which make the most innocuous and even positive comment that had no pejorative intent
seen as hurtful and to be avoided.
For example, I am personally not offended if someone - not knowing that I am Jewish - says, ‘Merry
Christmas’ to me in December. I
understand that the intent of such an individual is well intended and has nothing
to do with denigrating my faith. But in the zeal by the left not to offend,
that phrase is now seen as exclusionary and therefore deemed politically incorrect. That is clearly going too far.
It has the effect of making decent people feel guilty for doing nothing other than wishing a fellow
citizen good cheer.
But there is another political correctness that in my view is even worse than that. In those cases it actually causes harm.
When the truth is hidden
because it is perceived as unflattering to great religious figures - that is political correctness run amok. When that truth is published it is banned. I emphasize the word ‘perceived’! Because what might seem
unflattering to one person might be seen a flattering to another. But either way when
the truth is hidden the narrative becomes a lie. A lie of omission the result of which paints unrealistic images of great people.
All of our religious
heroes - past and present were human. They became great through their own hard
work. They were not born great. By
denying their humanity they are portrayed as near God-like in their perfection
from the moment they leave the womb.
The reason why truths about a great religious figure is hidden is because there is a desire to never say anything that might detract
the slightest bit from that individual’s greatness. When those truths are published - they are banned by the right.
That is religious political correctness taken to a harmful extreme. Especially after the truth comes out. Which it often does. Making people wonder what else is missing about that
figure that is being kept from the public.
These are the thoughts I had upon hearing of the passing of
a religious figure that was great in is own right. I was saddened to read Rabbi
Yitzchok Adlerstein’s eulogy of R’ Nosson Kamenetsky, ZTL. A man who exemplified his
father’ R’ Yaakov Kamenetsky’s zeal for Emes. That zeal cost R’ Nosson a lot.
He had spent years writing a historical account of the great
religious figures of his father’s time in a book entitled The Making of a Gadol.
Upon its publication it was banned by religious leaders for describing the
truths about how those great religious figures became great. Which - as noted - meant that it was seen as disparaging.
Rabbi Kamenetsky suffered greatly from this. He described
his ordeal in a book entitled Anatomy of a Ban. It was published, but not distributed to the public. He did however embark on a public speaking tour where he
described the horrible way he was treated by Askanim - the community activists behind the ban. During that speaking tour, R' Nosson also explained his defense his book and why the truth mattered.
When political correctness means omitting the truth - everyone loses. Rabbi Kametesky knew that. As did his father. R’ Nosson was an Ish
Emes – a man of truth - as was his father. The truths of history will only enhance our beliefs in
the truths of Judaism. Denial of the truths about our religious heroes is a denial of their very humanity. That is wrong. And that is what political correctness does when applied to Judaism. Rabbi
Kamentesky knew that. I cannot understand why those responsible for banning his
book did not.
The truth is not as popular as it used to be. And now one of its champions is gone. He will
be sorely missed.
