A Little Bit Of Light
There’s a well-known expression used by many Rishonim and Kadmonim (Rabbinic authorities): “A little bit of light pushes away a lot of darkness.” I have never found this dictum so true as when I was taking a daytime flight from Israel to America. Most often, on long-haul flights, people like to sleep as it passes the time more quickly. More than that, the night before said flight was probably filled with a flurry of activity like packing, last minute visits, and more.
You’re probably very tired and want to sleep. To make this more possible, the airline often dims the lights to give the aura of an evening flight, and subliminally encourage less, or at least quieter, conversation. The windows of newer planes don’t have manual shades. They have electrochromic windows that darken. The crew darkens these windows also from their controls at the front.
Thinking Of Others
Well, there I was on a flight, where the plane was blissfully dim, and then, BAM! A passenger in the window seat makes his windows brighter manually! All of a sudden, the cabin was filled with light. I never realized how one or two little windows can make such a difference, but they can. What struck me at that moment was not the amazing optimism of this expression and its truth, but the level of obtuseness and self-induced blindness a person can reach. I refer, of course, to the fellow who opened the shades.
I don’t mean that he couldn’t read his book without the daylight from the windows. Honestly, they give you overhead lights that can help you read a book. Of course, sometimes that also impacts others, and people should be aware. But our bookworm friend here wasn’t aware that his windows brightened the entire cabin and may have made it harder for others to sleep.
I say he wasn’t aware because I’m dan l’kaf zechus (judge favorably) that had it been pointed out to him, he might have thought about his choices, but the flight attendant I mentioned it to seemed hesitant to say anything. I guess I could have, but he seemed Israeli and my Hebrew wouldn’t be articulate enough to be polite. He also might not have reacted well to it, as he didn’t seem to be a Torah-observant Jew, the type who are better able to accept mussar (rebuke) without getting offended. (hint, hint)
Nothing To Do
So, the flight went on with him and his bright windows, being a beacon of self-involvement, an oasis of ego, and a masterclass in Me-ism. Which is why I’m writing this. I couldn’t go over and say something to him, and when the rest of us do things, it’s quite possible there also won’t be others who can tell us where we went wrong. Now, if you’re married, you have a built-in person to tell you off… – I mean, gently and lovingly critique you – but even still, there may be times when no one else is available to help us.
I’m hoping that by sharing the story of this fellow, some of us will begin to ask ourselves how our actions will affect others. If there’s something we want to do or have, we have to consider whether it will disturb other people. That doesn’t automatically mean we desist from our plans, but we take it into account.
Rights And Responsibilities
Let’s say your kids enjoy fireworks. They bought a whole bunch and want to shoot them off (where it’s legal) at night time. Of course, it has to be dark for them to enjoy the show, so ask yourself if you have neighbors with young children who will be woken by the loud report of your rockets. Are you making loud booms that will disturb people, frighten them, or wake them up?
If the noise ordinances in your area allow loud sounds until 11PM, does that mean you blast the music in your backyard until 10:59, even if it rattles the windows and the bass thump-thumps their walls? Sure, it’s legal, but is it right? Just like the guy who is not prevented from making his windows brighter (though I was told some lead flight attendants may lock the brightness controls), and it’s his right to do so, but what happened to his obligations to others?
Just Think Before You Act
One of my favorite lines, often attributed to Oliver Wendell Holmes, though I think that has been debunked, is: “The right to swing your fist ends at the tip of the other man’s nose.” You can do what you want, until it impacts others. Then there have to be guidelines and consideration. For example, the United States Bill of Rights guarantees Freedom of Assembly. I think exercising that right in a way that impedes others and deprives them of their rights should be illegal. Yes, you can protest whatever you want, but don’t block highways or stores and hurt other people. That’s not how we’re supposed to act. I think you get the point of what I’m saying, and I hope I’ve managed to open your eyes to some things you ought to consider the next time you want to do something that may affect other people. Think about the repercussions of your acts and consider revising them. At least, that’s what an enlightened person, especially one who follows the Torah, would do.
By Rabbi Jonathan Gewirtz
2025 – All Rights Reserved
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