These Wikileaks have got me thinking. When is it appropriate to hide information? When is it immoral if not illegal? Is too much information harmful? Dangerous even? Deadly? How do we draw that very fine line between protection vs. suppression?
I really have no interest in debating the politics here or even dealing with the specifics of these leaks. I am also not going to venture to discuss the complex ramifications of the Jewish laws of gossip and slander (lashon horah) and how the intricate practical aspects of these laws would or would not apply to the Wikileaks.
But I would like to discuss the many parallels that we can use from this situation in our own lives.
Bottom line, we all have secrets. And we all should. As long as the information we are not sharing is in the best interest of both ourselves and the ones we are keeping it from. We all know that TMI (too much information) can push someone away. Only as things build and there is a basis and trust for sharing do we reveal more and more. It needs to be safe, and it needs to be beneficial to the growth of the relationship. But the more that happens, the more information is divulged.
This is clearly demonstrated in the sharing of information within one's own family. Specifically between parents and children. Whether it be how parents handle their finances, or the decisions they make concerning their children's needs, there are endless details and information that is kept private. Not only is it not appropriate for the child to know how decisions are calculated and determined, but it would be unhealthy for a child to know. So as parents we are constantly withholding information that pertains to our very children, but for the benefit of our children. And clearly what is revealed to a toddler vs. a middle schooler vs. a child in high school will vary greatly. The older the child becomes, the more will be discussed and shared. But even with an adult child, there are certain things that may never be explained or information that should never be divulged.
But this situation between a parent and child, or any situation where information is not being shared, can only work in a healthy way when there is …TRUST. Regarding something like money and children, our children must trust that when it comes to how we make financial decisions we are often trying to save money for them or if we are spending it, it is often for their needs and expenses. When they trust us they ultimately trust that both what they know and what they don't know is in their best interest. So when we keep something from them, it is because we are actually doing them a favor.
Unfortunately, it is the lack of trust that exists within governments and politics that has led to the Wikileaks in the first place. If we truly trusted that the information being kept from us was for national security and for our protection, no one would be interested in leaking anything! But we don't. We fear that information is being kept from us. That we are not being told things that we deserve to know. And because of that we are seeking ways of figuring it out on our own. This is how Wikileaks was born, and we see how quickly it grew from its infancy into quite a powerful thing.
When there is no trust, there can be no true relationship. And trust can only come about when you are sure that the one who is leading you has your best interest at heart. In Jewish Mysticism we see this very strongly. The aspect of leadership, of Kingship, of the ability to rule is the level of Malchut. Yet Malchut is considered the last, the final level of all the intellectual and emotive aspects, the sefirot. The reason for this is that a true leader in Judaism is the greatest servant. For to lead, one must be looking out and concerned for the needs of all those you are leading. And likewise, when you know your leader is there for you, and truly serving your needs, then you can trust that whatever decisions are being made are for the best.
It used to be very easy to hide information, to lie about facts. But times have changed. Through the internet and technology, everything is becoming more and more transparent. And for all the concerns and negatives, there is something very positive in it as well. We need to know as individuals that if you do something, even seemingly in private, it can take seconds to make its way to Facebook or go viral on YouTube. There is no longer such a thing as having a picture that no one else will ever see. Yet this means that we are that much more careful about what we will do or where we will be seen or how we will behave. And that is a good thing. For we should know that others are watching us and others are aware of our actions.
This new era of transparency is actually finally making us recognize that we are never truly alone and that our behavior, both public and private, affects others. Just like you drive slower when you see that a police car is behind you, so too, knowing that your actions can instantaneously become public means that those actions are going to be on their better if not best behavior. And let's be honest here…we are always being watched. Certainly from Above and more often than not, from those right next to us as well.
By no means am I advocating that everything become revealed and that we should have nothing that remains private or protected. But I am happy that we are reaching a point where we can no longer deceive, hide or lie about truths that others have the right to know about. And clearly with these Wiki Leaks it is not just us as individuals who are making such a discovery, but governments and countries are becoming more and more exposed. And that seems to be an important lesson for all of us. It is time we started recognizing that at the end of the day, once something leaves our private realm of thought and transfers into our speech and action, it has the potential of becoming public domain. Now that is something to think about, huh?!
