Cheshbon hanefesh— literally, “an accounting of the soul.” We might also translate it as a “Commission of Self-Inquiry”
After the successful conclusion of this war, with G-d’s help, there will inevitably be established a Commission of Inquiry. They will examine root causes, and ask who is accountable for the abysmal failures of our military and intelligence that led to the Simchas Torah massacre and the war. Fingers will be pointed, denials and accusations will punctuate the air, names will be named, resignations will take place, and heads will roll. That will not be a pleasant time. Ruthless self-examination and taking responsibility never are.
But there are other Commissions of Inquiry that should take place as well, but will not. They, too, would make certain investigations. For example:
— A question to the ringleaders of the IDF and Air Force reservists who threatened en masse not to report for reserve duty in protest of judicial reforms (but who, in fairness, did respond wholeheartedly once war broke out): Those threats undermined national morale and clearly emboldened our enemies, even engendering delighted editorials in Iranian newspapers. Is anyone being held accountable?
— A question to the instigators of the bitter judicial reform demonstrations. They split our people, delegitimized entire social sectors, created contempt for the duly elected government. Did all this strengthen the “demokratia” that was their mantra du jour, or in retrospect did it weaken it? Is anyone being held accountable?
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