How to Choose a Candidate, 2022
Written by Arnie Draiman
First and foremost, I want my elected representative (Senator, Representative, Knesset member, Mayor, Governor, etc.) to work for me, to get my issues across, to take care of business, to solve the problems that need solving.
Rabbi Elazar (of the Talmud) said, on his deathbed, “What can I teach you? Each of you go and be careful of the dignity of others.” (Derech Eretz Rabbah 3:4)
I have been working in the nonprofit sector in Israel for more than 25 years, and I have also been working in hi-tech for most of this period as well. When it comes to giving tzedakah, my mentor, Danny Siegel, taught me years ago to look for the key person, not the organization nor the business. He calls the right person a Mitzvah Hero, and he says find the Mitzvah Hero and you will know you have the right place.
I use this advice not just with nonprofits or hi-tech companies, but in politics as well. Simply put, I look for the mensch, a person of integrity and honor. As Maimonides wrote (Gifts for Poor People 10:8) about someone responsible for a community tzedakah fund, look for the person who is “trustworthy and wise and behaves competently.”
I am not naive about politics, and I understand the various political structures in the United States and in Israel (well, as much as anyone can understand them!).
I know that if I find this gem, this mensch, he or she might be aligned with a party or coalition that clashes with some of my issues. If I am an economic and security conservative but socially liberal, will I ever find a party that represents me, anyway?
And so, one has to make some very hard decisions – do I vote for candidate X, knowing that s/he possibly belongs to the “other side”?
My guiding principle has been yes. If you believe in that person and that person can do good and fight for the changes you want to see, then do it. Ben Zoma says, “Who is worthy of being honored? One who treats others with dignity.” (Pirkei Avot 4:1). The biggest problem is finding this special gem – politics, after all, is filled with, well, politicians. Jeremiah the prophet teaches us to “find the precious among the unworthy.” (Jeremiah 15:19)
Fortunately, I have come across these superbly polished diamonds, real gems working for us. I will not name names here but do know that they exist. Don’t believe just what you read or hear about in the media (for better or worse), rather, take a few minutes and start to do the research. Find those diamonds – they are there, waiting to be seen by you.
My point is simple – find the person who can accomplish so much. As Rabbi Elazar said, tzaddikim (those diamonds in the rough) say little and do much (Bava Metzia 87a).
P.S. If you think today’s politics and divisiveness are unprecedented, in the Talmud (Arachin 16b) Rabbi Tarfon says, “I would be surprised if there was someone in this generation who knows how to take criticism.” And then Rabbi Elazar replies with this rejoinder, “I would be surprised if there was someone in this generation who knows how to criticize.” And Rashi (11th century commentator) explains this to mean “how to criticize respectfully.”
Simply put, I look for the mensch, a person of integrity and honor.
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