While reflecting upon the barbaric recent acts of terror in Brussels, Paris, and Copenhagen, we must ask ourselves what is it, why is it, when will it ever end, and what must our response be. At home, our immediate response has been increased security, and in that spirit let us seize the opportunity to give thanks to all the selfless volunteers within our own community who just like Dan Uzan help to keep us safe.
As we are about to read the book of Esther, we are reminded how the wicked Haman plotted a terror attack against the entire Jewish nation albeit that his intentions were subsequently thwarted As a result of Queen Esther’s declaration before King Achashverosh, the very character who sought our demise was himself ordered by the King to be hanged on the gallows that he (Haman) had prepared for Mordechai. There are occasions when we must speak out and be heard in order to make a difference. Similarly there are times when we must act with restraint. Queen Esther chose to confront King Achashverosh at potential risk to herself. Yet, Queen Esther understood the threats posed to the Jews in Persia at that time and was prepared to be a voice for the sake of protecting her people.
Whilst freedom of speech is an integral part of a free society it has to be offset against responsible speech. Like all freedoms it requires responsibility in its freedom and exercise. US justice Oliver Wendell Holmes in his famous supreme court opinion declared that freedom of speech does not allow one to shout fire in a crowded theatre where no fire exists. Thus, even this most free of all our freedoms the right to say what we wish must be subject to some limitations in order for our society to function. There are those that maintain that much of the material in the Charlie Hebdo case is offensive, Islamaphobic, anti-Semitic, as well as racist, sexist, and homophobic, and the argument that it is freedom of speech they suggest, is a very crude way of allowing offensive material of this sort to be published. Freedom of speech gets thrown around quite easily, but serious public debate about the parameters and nature of freedom of speech are few and far between.
Whether or not you agree with the intent of the cartoonists in the Charlie Hebdo case is a matter of personal opinion. The bottom line is that character assassination in any form of speech or cartoons alike, have the ability to destroy individuals as well as nations as we have indeed witnessed.
As we celebrate the Purim festival together, let us take our inspiration from Queen Esther and exercise our speech and words with the level of sanctity it deserves.
Wishing you all Purim Sameach.
Daniel Rosenthal