A sharp message is more likely to be heard in a noisy marketplace of ideas than a qualified and nuanced one. I think it is wrong for the voices of moderation to be constrained by an idealistic sense of duty to absolute accuracy, balance, and openness to opposing views. Hmm, ouch, that was hard to write; are we not the people who “eat brown rice and are always nice”?
Being too nice is irresponsible. In the Bible story, Reuben intends to save Joseph but does not challenge the groupthink of his brothers that Joseph must die. He works within the consensus and suggests a compromise, hoping to fix the situation later. But he returns to see that Joseph is gone: “And I, where will I come?” He will never feel at home again, haunted by his timid choice.
A Hasid asks his rebbe if he should continue feeding the poor...
