This week's Torah portion contains the phrase "...You shall be clear before the Lord and before Israel..." (Numbers 32:22). This becomes a well-known principle: "meriyat ayin," encouraging Jews to be free from even appearing to have committed a sin. In Mishnah Shekalim 3:2 there is the remembrance of monetary offerings that were collected in the Temple, and how they were handled to avoid the appearance of wrong doing. "He that went in to take up Terumah (donations) did not wear a sleeved cloak or shoes or sandals or phylacteries or an amulet, lest if he ... became rich they should say that he became rich from the Terumah (donations) taken up out of the Shekel-chamber; for a man must satisfy mankind even as he must satisfy God, for it says, 'and be guiltless towards the Lord and towards Israel...'" We should avoid the appearance of impropriety. So the person who transports the charity funds should not wear clothing in which money could be hidden, and the operator of the community soup kitchen may not sell left-over soup to himself, lest people become suspicious that he did not pay the proper price for food intended for the poor. (Babylonian Talmud, Pesahim 13a).
In the current war in Gaza many have been suspicious of the motives of the Israeli government. Many articles have been written, including that Israel simply wants to kill Arabs, that this is revenge against Hamas for murdering the Israeli teens, that Israel is attempting to replace the Hamas government, and that Hamas is hurting for money and support so they needed to start a war (see earlier post below).  I will not be a naif and claim that governments must always be straightforward, although that would be wonderful. But when lives and the destiny of nations are on the line, it behooves a democracy to be straightforward with its people. I am not a fan of the current Israeli government. But I am hopeful that, with all of the hate for Hamas harbored by the political right in Israel, the true motive for this war is to remove the threat to the Israeli civilian population. Without such honesty, a nation cannot pull together. The reason for the Rabbis' elaboration on the principle of "meriyat ayin," is so that the authorities will earn a history of candor in order to obtain the backing of the nation when tough calls are required. That did not occur in the American war in Iraq, and we are witnessing the disaffection and abandonment of involvement in government that results, a great danger for a democracy. May Israel's leadership be governed by belief in her people worldwide, so that, earning our trust, Israel may lead us forward toward peace. Ken yehi ratzon.