Lesson #39: The Instigator
Imagine that the president of a shul, who gave days and nights to the congregation, working tirelessly to allow it to grow and flourish, and to address and resolve every problem which was thrown his way, finally decides to retire, leave the community, and move to Florida. The shul now needs a new president. One fellow in the congregation, who has been a very involved, loyal, committed and hard-working member, assumes that he would receive the appointment. In his mind, it is clear and obvious that he deserves to serve as the synagogue’s president, given the level of his involvement over the years, his skills, and his commitment. The committee, however, for whatever reason, chooses a different candidate to serve as president.
The man is furious. He sets out to let everyone know about how angry he is, and goes through the shul’s membership, explaining to each person why the committee erred, and how unqualified the person they chose is for the job. This fellow sets the shul on fire, and the membership now finds itself embroiled in Mahloket (strife) and controversy. People are talking Lashon Ha’ra about others, different factions form, and members are angry at one another.
The leadership realizes that it needs to do something to extinguish the fire of controversy. The committee, and the new president, decide they need to go public, and make it clear to the membership what happened – that one fellow felt embittered over not receiving the position of president, and he set out to besmirch the new president and those who chose him. The leaders conclude that this is the only way to resolve the conflict and restore peace and harmony to the congregation – to explain to the congregants that this fellow is instigating strife and should not be listened to.
Is this permissible? Are the shul leaders allowed to spread Lashon Ha’ra about this instigator for the sake of extinguishing the flames of Mahloket?
The Hafetz Haim writes that the leaders are, in fact, permitted to do so, on three conditions. First, they are allowed to say about this fellow only what they know firsthand. They must have direct knowledge that he instigated the controversy. Second, their intent must be purely Le’Shem Shamayim, sincere and genuine, for the sake of restoring peace to the congregation, without any vested personal motives, such as a desire to “settle the score” with the instigator. Finally, they are permitted to speak Lashon Ha’ra about this person only if they see no other way of ending the destructive conflict that has erupted and is plaguing the institution. If all these conditions are met, the Hafetz Haim writes, the synagogue’s leadership is permitted to inform the members that this fellow instigated the Mahloket. The Hafetz Haim explains that in the case of a “Ba’al Mahloket” – somebody who instigates strife and discord, the prohibition of Lashon Ha’ra is superseded by the urgent need to end the controversy. Therefore, if the only way to end it is by speaking Lashon Ha’ra about the instigator, and the people speak only what they know firsthand, and with pristinely sincere motives, then this is allowed.
Sadly, many shuls have been or are plagued by strife and Mahloket. Often, the people involved confidently believe that they are correct, that they are serving the best interests of the institution by opposing other members. They fail to realize that by instigating Mahloket, they cause far worse damage, igniting a fire that can tear the shul apart, and destroy the heart and soul of the membership. Let us always be fierce advocates for peace and tranquility in our shuls and other institutions, and in this merit, please G-d, we shall bring the redemption, Amen.