I Hate to Be Critical, But…

 

This week’s Torah portion begins the last of the five books of Moses. Devarim, Deuteronomy is quite different than the preceding four books in tone and content. Genesis described the beginnings of the world but mostly of the Jewish people. From Exodus onward we have the development of the Jewish nation in Egypt and the subsequent 40 years where they received laws and instructions from Moses.

 

Devarim, which literally means “words”, are just that – Moshe’s final words that he gives before his passing. Pretty much the entire book is made up of this speech given over a span of 36 days – words that the Jewish people would carry with them forever. 

 

This lengthy talk starts off on a bit of a downer as Moshe recalls, but moreso chastises, the people for many of their failings of the past 40 years. Complaints about food, concern about Moshe’s leadership abilities, a failed spy mission, a golden calf – it wasn’t exactly a hit-parade of highlights, but moreso of lowlights. He starts off by kind of laying into them and pointing out their many faults and foibles.

 

We all know that receiving rebuke is never fun. It is a touchy experience and often hurt feelings result. Because of this, Moshe felt that the best time to criticize the people was when his death was imminent. The rabbis in the Talmud point out that he did this for a couple of reasons. 

 

One was that it limits the embarrassment that giving criticism invariably creates. It is much easier to accept criticism if you will never see the critic again. It is always painful to meet the person who can see through your disguise and clearly see your faults. Merely being in the presence of such an individual is a confirmation of personal failure. We saw this with Joseph and his brothers who still were quite afraid and uncomfortable around him long after he had rebuked, but repeatedly told them that he forgave them. Their embarrassment never ceased.

  

Another major problem in giving criticism, rendering it ineffective and oftentimes hurtful, is when it is given without the receiver’s good-will in mind. When someone lays into us because they are angry, they are not acting in our interest, but merely steam-rolling over us to make themselves feel better. “Ah, I got that off my chest – I feel great.” Yes, you might feel better, but the recipient of your wrath is lying crumpled and broken on the floor.

 

This was not the case when Moshe criticized the Israelites. Since he was at the end of his life, he no longer had anything personal to gain by it. Moshe’s timing illustrates an essential prerequisite to giving effective rebuke, and that is that it can never be given with any agenda other than the good and welfare of the recipient. And that is why Jewish tradition says that it should be given privately and with a soft voice, not with malice or anger and certainly not in public to shame another. Speaking softly when criticizing happens naturally when one is only focusing on the good and welfare of the other and not blowing off steam.

 

When you think about it, while criticism is often a blow at the ego and painful to endure, in truth there are times when we seek it out. Indeed it is much easier to actively look for constructive criticism that to wait for the moment when someone feels the need to tell us. We naturally look for criticism when we seek to better ourselves at something we value and feel important to our lives.

 

When I attend a tennis clinic and the pro gives me tips on improving my serve by not opening my body forward when I hit the ball, or by showing me that I can have a more effective forehand if I keep my non-hitting left hand out pointed at the incoming ball, I don’t get offended. My ego isn’t bruised because he sees my tennis imperfections. I don’t say indignantly, “How dare you tell me how I should hit the ball!!” We all realize that would be absurd.

 

When our goal in life is to be the best person we can at whatever we do, not only do we welcome criticism, but we are even willing to pay for it as we do when we hire a coach or seek professional help. If someone has some advice that would make us better at the things that we value in our lives, then we certainly wish to hear about it. 

 

And so we see that criticism, when regarded with the proper perspective, is not only not a painful part of life but a crucial and necessary tool for growth. If we are willing to overcome our ego, a whole world of fantastic help and knowledge awaits to make us better and our lives more fulfilling. All we need to do is seek out, pay attention and listen to the words of the wise… to their Devarim.

 

Trust what I say

and do what you’re told

 and surely all your dirt

will turn into gold

-Van Morrison