Parashat Re'eh: The tyranny of ‘one’ truth
In this opinion piece, Moshe Taragin reflects on the Torah portion Re'eh, focusing on the danger of false prophets and the elevation of partial truths to absolute truths. He argues that genuine insight does not make everything a person says true, and that partial truths become destructive when mistaken for the whole truth. He applies this to modern ideologies, such as nationalism and individualism, and to Jewish values like tikkun olam and settlement.
In this opinion piece, Moshe Taragin reflects on Parashat Re'eh, focusing on the Torah's warning against false prophets. He notes that the existence of prophecy made counterfeit prophecy possible, and that false prophets often had genuine credentials, making them persuasive. The Torah instructs that even a prophet with proven signs must be rejected if he contradicts the word of God at Sinai. Taragin extends this to a broader lesson: possessing part of the truth does not make everything one says true. He applies this to modern ideologies, arguing that Enlightenment ideals of individual liberty and nationalism were genuine achievements but became dangerous when elevated to absolutes, as seen in fascism and communism. He also critiques the Western emphasis on individual autonomy, which has led to moral relativism. Closer to home, he argues that tikkun olam and Jewish settlement are important values but should not be elevated above other aspects of Judaism, such as Torah study and prayer. The piece is a call for balance and caution against absolutizing partial truths.