The Art of Moral Criticism: Rebuke In The Jewish Tradition And Beyond

Abstract

The essence of this article happens to be the art of moral criticism amidst the Jewish tradition. Moral criticism, or as the Torah puts it rebuke (tokhehah), is a necessary activity for social learning and improvement. Moral criticism is part of a give and take among individuals who must necessarily share, at least, a minimal set of core values, including most importantly respect for one another, a common ethical vocabulary, and a basic moral grammar. Each one of us, simply by virtue of being human, inherits a moral tradition. As we grow and mature we slowly become its spokespersons. Rebuke or moral criticism is one of the many moral responsibilities that come with advancing maturity and wisdom. It can take on many different forms. A series of discussions, mostly rhetorical in nature follows. Introspecting questions along such as what are my motives along with substantial analysis concludes this article.