How do you respond when you have been slandered? It is frighteningly easy to attack someone's reputation and accuse them of anything. If they can't easily prove you wrong, other people may say it's their word against yours. Even if you are completely innocent, your reputation has been compromised. How should you respond?
What does Judaism think?
There are a number of options and considerations. On a personal level, there is a certain merit to not responding at all. The Talmud assures us that someone who hears their shaming and does not respond gains great favor and forgiveness in the eyes of heaven. All of their sins are erased. That's pretty good!
It can still be difficult, though, when others look at you as if you were indeed guilty. Some of your friends may distance themselves from you. That can be hurtful. Nonetheless, if it is only hurtful, it is still meritorious to stay out of such a fight.
However, if you begin to resent those friends who have fallen prey to the slander, then you may rethink your approach. Psychologically speaking, it is not healthy to harbor resentment. In this case, the best approach is to take that friend aside and make sure they understand the truth. There does not need to be a public repudiation of the slanderer, since that will only highlight the original slander and drag you into a public fight. Talking privately to those who are close to you will both relieve your hurt, retain your friendships, and probably be more effective in countering the lies.
It is important to note how Judaism stresses the power of positive energy. "Thou shalt not take revenge," is predicated on this power. To respond to negativity with negativity is to diminish yourself. Therefore, it is best to keep away from fights, even if you are personally attacked. You have every right to defend your reputation, but I believe it's best to do it with the third-party people who really don't know who to believe and who have no prior hostility towards you.
This, however, applies on an individual level. What about Israel and the Goldstone report?
What about when someone is accused of something that can be a "defamation of God's name?" If a rabbi is falsely accused of a crime?
It is not proper to allow people to assume that religious Jews regularly behave unethically. Sadly, last year was not a banner year for the Jewish people in this regard. I believe it is important, no, imperative, for Israel to publicly defend itself. We need to toot our own horn.
Israel's military follows the highest ethical code of any military. The terrorists of Hamas although the lowest ethical code of any group. It's incredible that Israel should be lectured on human rights by the people that brought you The Suicide Bomber. No mention is made of Israel warning people in harm's way before every attack. No mention is made of the fact that these people were only in harm's way because the Hamas chose to store arms and fire rockets from mosques, clinics and civilian housing blocks. It was inevitable that there are would be civilian casualties.
No mention is made of the medical help that Israel gave and continues to give to the Palestinians of Gaza. No mention is made of the UN emergency supply convoys that Israel allowed into the Gaza Strip during the conflict, that were then fired on by Hamas!
In other words, Israel has a lot of misinformation to correct. Now in all probability there were instances when Israeli soldiers behaved improperly. Israel always investigate itself, and soldiers have been brought up on charges in the past. When is the last time Hamas investigated itself?
So when it comes to defending the reputation of God, who is represented by Israel, we must be vociferous. We cannot let people who are not knowledgeable learn the wrong things about us. If that is the case, they will never be open to learn the good things that Judaism has brought to all of humanity. At the end of the day, that is our purpose.
So to summarize: on an individual level, it is best to avoid a public dispute with someone who slanders you. Try to deal with it quietly by speaking to your concerned friends. Give it time, and the whole thing will melt away, and you will keep your positive energy. On a national level, our positive energy is maintained by proudly proclaiming the high standards of our defense forces and standing up for our national honor. At the same time, we must make sure that we do live up to those standards and continue to demand ethics and discipline from every soldier in our wonderful army.
