Q&A: Hatred Among the People
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Hatred Among the People
Question
What, in the Rabbi’s opinion, is the main reason for the hatred between the different sides within the people?
Answer
I don’t know. There is one mathematical mechanism that I described in the column about the mathematics of centrists. 450-1.
Not really an answer, but it’s worth noting that the situation isn’t all that different in the U.S. or France and the like.
There was an experiment in which they took children and split them into two identical groups (class, background, etc.) and took them to a park without either group knowing about the other. A series of challenges was planned in order to test what would create conflict between the two. The experiment ended earlier than expected, when it became clear that all it took was for the groups to know that another group existed in the park.
They became rivals and developed an identity for themselves, and even derogatory labels for the other group (such as ‘the brave ones’ and ‘the fools’ and the like), all this without the experimenters even beginning their scheme.
Sometimes it’s enough that you look different, and sometimes just that you live on the other side of the street. So of course there’s nothing to expect when there are actual disagreements on substantive issues, and there always will be such disagreements.