Guilty as Charged: Not Counting–to-Ten

A reconceptualization of a sermon by Rabbi Gerald Skolnick

We all say bad things; rashly, thoughtlessly and destructively in the heat of the moment,. We often fail to stop and think about what we are saying. Heated discussions and arguments are rarely the time to say, “wait a minute, let me consider my next statement.” As a result unfortunate and regrettable things are said.

The likelihood of such things happening in real time certainly increases. However, it is astounding that such things happen in emails or forums, on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram where online activity naturally lends itself to a pause before hitting send or post. How is so much horribleness sent? Is it all intentional? Are people really that awful? Not mostly.

The problem is that not everyone realizes that words matter. Whether spoken in person, in public, on the radio, television or printed in books, pamphlets, newspapers or on a website – words have power. Words have duration and weight. They are cumulative and compound. They build narratives. They are a force that can build or destroy. This is the   real power behind the intent of freedom of speech.

What do your words do?

As long as we honor the concept and practice of free speech there will be trolls and other people of malicious intent saying, printing and posting awfulness. That is burden we have to live with.

But then there are the people who are not evil or malicious, the ones who simply don’t take the opportunity to count to 10, but should. Counting to 10 – before speaking or hitting send should be the cornerstone of a new civil- religiosity, it is a true blessing.