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Thought for the Day: The Real -- that is, Torah -- Golden Rule

I have read enough science fiction and seen enough horror films to have been really worried in recent days about an alien invasion. Anyone who has seen Westworld or Invasion of the Body Snatchers knows very well that an alien invasion can start with creatures who look very human, but they always have one give-away "tell". In this case, I have noticed quite a few very human looking creatures... but to the observant, paranoid, science nerd they made one glaring mistake in their charade: Everyone knows that human breathe through the nose and mouth. These creatures largely breathe through their chins, many have noses that are nothing more than clever camouflage. Some even breathe through their elbows! My evidence? Their mask usage.

Then I thought their might be another explanation.

They -- the "veldt" -- has what they call the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. So inspirational! Our sages said something similar -- That which is hateful to you, don't do to your fellow (Shabbos 31a). Gawrsh.... it's ok, I guess... but why so negative? Basically the same thing, but just in the negative; you know how Jews are.

That's they way I always had heard it presented. Seems strange, though, that one of the greatest of our sages -- Hillel the Elder -- could not think of a better way to express "the whole of Torah." As it turns out, the Golden Rule ain't so golden; kinda manipulative and selfish, actually.  And Hillel wasn't telling us how to get along with other people, he was actually expressing our mission statement in the most actionable way possible.

Let's start with the so called "Golden" rule. Who is the focus of that statement? That's right, it you. The statement has the same semantic content as: I wanted to be treated nicely, so to get what I want -- which is to be treated nicely -- I'll treat you nicely. Their "Golden" rule is not altruistic, it's selfish. Let's say, for example, that I am (in my mind) not at risk for Covid-19; I am young and healthy, after all. Shoot... then I don't need to wear a mask! Why should I wear a mask? It's uncomfortable and I don't need you to wear a mask. Since I am only doing unto other what I care if they do to me; I can just bag the whole mask thing. I only care about me, and I am fine; so I don't need to even feign concern for you.

Hillel's statement, on the other hand, challenges you to take your own experiences and turn them into sensitivity and caring for others. Hillel says: take the hurt from your own experiences and turn that into sensitivity to help others. Our same fellow above now says to himself, "Yikes! I'd hate to even be put at risk for catching Covid-19; I am certainly going to wear a properly fitting mask to be sure I don't put anyone else at risk!" My experiences become the lessons I need to learn how to treat others.

Ah, so they aren't aliens... they just don't care. I guess we should call this epoch: Invasion of the Goyishe Kohps.
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