by Michael L. Feshbach
(Originally published in Ten Minutes of Torah and Reform Voices of Torah) Dr. Adler asks, “Are unintentional lapses that serious?” Inadvertent misconduct is a category understood by our ancestors. In the course of weighing our actions and working to make the world a better place, it is a question worth considering in our lives.
Most of us encounter the concept of accidental sin most clearly on Yom Kippur. In our machzor (High Holy Day prayer book) we read, Al cheit shechatanu l’fanecha, b’zadon uvishgagah , “The sin we have committed against You consciously or unconsciously” (Gates of Repentance, p. 271).
In moral evaluation, I believe we need to measure both intent and impact.
A loose analogy: perhaps we can compare questions of intent and impact to the approaches of absolutism and utilitarianism. An “absolutist” approach judges by unmoving standards of right and wrong. A “utilitarian” or “consequentialist” approach watches what happens. Its evaluation is based upon the utility of an action, its consequences. Not just intent, but impact.
Many of us who care about Israel were distressed in recent months as we watched the world watch the war in Gaza. How could so many be so critical, so lacking in understanding of Israel’s position?
Maybe we were just looking at the world through different lenses. Those who supported Israel’s actions looked at the intent of the Hamas rockets and saw evil for what it was. But those who were the most critical asked about impact and saw the suffering of the response.
This is not just a question for national policy, but for personal moral worth. “Consciousness” is not the only component in conscience. To weigh our deeds, and to make amends, we need to examine impact, and the unconscious. We need to look into our hearts. But we also need to watch our hands.
Rabbi Michael L. Feshbach is the senior rabbi at Temple Shalom, Chevy Chase, Maryland.
