Restoring Trust

Trust is the glue that secures every personal relationship and society in general. The widespread assessment that America is on a downward trajectory is largely a function of the division of the country into two large, antagonistic groups, neither of which credits the other with basic human decency. Once trust is lost, it is notoriously hard to restore, and never completely.

Torah society is perhaps uniquely predicated on a high degree of trust. We live with the assumption that members of our communities share our commitment to Torah values and that they strive to live in accord with those values, albeit, with a few exceptions, not perfectly.

In light of recent events, however, we find ourselves of necessity giving our children the message: “You cannot trust anybody — at least not completely.” And though it is not our intention, our children may hear that message as “Everybody cannot be trusted” — which is something very different. The societal glue has weakened as a consequence.

Anyone who enjoys a modicum of communal respect bears a large responsibility not to act in such a way as to undermine societal trust — the greater the respect, the greater the burden.