Echoes of Rebbe Nachman: The Absence of Truth and Kindness
A Reflection on Truth, Kindness, and Political Discourse
When there is no truth, there is no kindness.
Rebbe Nachman of Breslov
These days I find myself asking: Why one political party in the United States can never seem to give hopeful speeches? Their speeches and rallies paint a picture of doom and gloom, devoid of optimism and full of tactics meant to scare people, mainly white people.
Recently I saw an image of the above quote on the Sefaria Project Instagram account. The text is from Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, a 19th-century Hasidic rabbi. After seeing the quote:
When there is no truth, there is no kindness.
I realized that their lack of kindness, compassion, and doom-and-gloom outlook might stem from an absence of truth in their assertions about our society. The quote suggests that truth and kindness are deeply interconnected, and one cannot truly exist without the other. In this context, truth can be seen as honesty or authenticity, while kindness implies thoughtful consideration and care for others.
This quote is a powerful statement about the importance of truth and kindness in our lives. It suggests that truthfulness is a precursor to kindness. Without truth, we cannot genuinely understand or know each other, making it challenging to express real kindness. Truth is essential for kindness because it allows us to see others as they are.
The more I look at this text, it suggests, at least to me, that truth is the foundation of kindness. This could mean that genuine kindness can only stem from an honest place. Without truth, actions that seem kind might be deceptive or manipulative, thus not genuinely kind. Real kindness is genuine and sincere, and sincerity requires honesty and truth.
Kindness, then, is a reflection of truth. Being kind to others signals our belief in their inherent value and worth. It also highlights our conviction in the importance of compassion and justice. Kindness is also essential for truth because it allows us to be open to new ideas and perspectives. When we are kind to others, we are more likely to listen to them and try to understand their point of view. When we are truthful, we accept others as they are without trying to manipulate or control them, which is a form of kindness. In this way, being truthful is an act of kindness in itself.
Negativity and pessimism have surged among those leaning politically right-of-center. Particularly evident in some political speeches. These politicians often depict the country as declining. They emphasize issues like immigration, terrorism, and the erosion of traditional values, focusing more on problems and less on solutions. And when they offer solutions, it’s for control: Control of women’s (and those with a uterus) bodies, voter laws to restrict access so they can stay in power.
Their rhetoric has severe implications. Their fear-mongering aims to frighten predominantly white voters into supporting them, leading to widespread anxiety, fear, anger, and, sadly, sometimes violence.
Drawing from the wisdom of Nachman of Breslov, when we focus on the truth, there is kindness, and we are able to show compassion and love. We should concentrate on the goodness in people and work collectively to build a better world.
This is the clearest discussion of the deep interconnection of truth & kindness in a political context I can recall. The Jewish tradition is consistent in linking these three fundamental human principles, but rarely underlines the fragile interdependence that has so often been undermined or broken by human inattention to our need for constant support of these principles in our daily lives. Thanks Reb Sandra for this important reminder❤️🩹
A person can't be anything without embracing the truth. A person can be a billionaire and still be nothing, without embracing the truth. Finding truth is the courage to look at yourself, recognize your flaws and become kinder. It's humility. It's the greatest tragedy of humankind, that so many are misled and embrace dishonesty, which owns the world.