Truth

There is a Yiddish expression, der emes iz der bester lign, Truth is the safest lie."

Listen to these two ideas:

1) Everyone must be willing to entertain change for the sake of growth.

2) All must be consistent with their inner self; to do what make sense to the soul and not heed the outside voices.  "But," you interject, "aren't they conflicting statements?"  Yes, they are.  And still they are both true.

There are two kinds of truth - the immutable and the ephemeral.  Ephemeral truth is based on the needs of the moment.  It is the kind of statement found in the "Dear Abby" columns. It seems right.  Abby uses common sense based on circumstance and time.

For example.  There is the old Jewish line about the kid who murders both parents.  The boy then throws himself on the mercy of the court on the grounds that he is an orphan.  He speaks a truth.

For example.  It is a modern truism that character is developed largely through the media of sorts and the arts.  Growth patterns then follow after what they see and learn at music, art, little league and the rest.  And the best time to hone these skills is during the weekend.  It is also a truism that music, painting and sports collide with Shabbat and Holy Days as they vie for the same time slot.  So how can we reconcile that conflict?

All this reminds of the rabbi's dilemma.  Two entrepreneurs vehemently insisted to their spiritual leader they they were correct in their business venture and the other was at fault.  One at a time the present their arguments.  After the first states his case,  the rabbi turns to the first litigant and says, "You are right."  The other then states his case and the rabbi grudgingly said, "And you are right."  The rebbetzin, listening by the door, burst into the room and said, "How can they both be right?"  The rabbi responded, "You too are right." 

Ephemeral truth is like that.  Contradicting statements can be simultaneously ne true.  A dog can be both smart and dumb at the same time.

Immutable truth differs from ephemeral truth in one dramatic way: it never changes and cannot be contradicted by time or circumstance.  Whereas children “need” to learn how to play trombone, it is not essential for them or an adult to know how to play.  Similarly, it is important to call friends often so that they know we care, but it is not essential that we do so.

Immutable truth is grounded in being.  The Aseret haDibbrot (Ten Commandments) is one example or Immutable Truth.  There are no extenuating circumstances for shaming parents or for committing adultery. Everyone understands the inherent evil in these acts. Likewise, even though we have lacunae or doubts there is God, always.  Job, the improbable theologian, does not doubt God’s existence or His goodness. Job simply says, “God knows.”  There is a helmsman at the wheel. This is what we need to know, accept and understand.

There are three major Jewish festivals during the year, Sukkot, Pesach and Shavuot.  Sukkot is our time of uncertainty.  It gives rise to all the ephemeral truths of our lives birth, death, wealth, change, despair and hope.

It is hard to think much between reading labels and mopping the floor. Still, the overriding message of Pesach is freedom, which is more of a call than a truth. Pesach is the holiday that calls to our soul, “wake up.”

Shavuot, however, is the holy day of Immutable Truth. It beckons and we understand the depths of its eternal truth.  But Immutable Truth, unlike the truths of the moment, is difficult to accept. It leaves no room for negotiation. It just is.

This is, by the way, why I believe Shavuot Is always “forgotten holiday.” Strangely, Shavuot is the most power-laden holiday on the Jewish calendar. God speaks on Shavuot. His voice echoes from Sinai and Truth is heard. There’s no getting around the Law or Voice. It spans the epochs and is unchanging.