The Age of Equivocation is Over!

“Art is a lie that tells the truth,” a quote attributed to Picasso, is quite accurate in summing up at our times.

Such times were eloquently described by Isaiah in the verse: (5:20): “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!”

If we penetrate more deeply, however, we will observe a profound shift occurring.

The age of equivocation and neutrality is coming to an end. People today, especially the young, are seeking authenticity and clarity more than ever before. They are hypersensitive to anything that sounds duplicitous or fake. 

This is why, in the first instance, regardless of the accuracy of the message, people are moving toward the polar ends of the spectrum in conversation and lifestyle, mostly following a direction consistent with their natural inclinations and biases.

The next phase will be of a more substantive nature, where the battle between an authentic narrative and a false one will be fought. This is described in Daniel (12:10), referring to the 'end of days': "Many will be purified and purged and refined."

Our challenge as Jews lies in our ability to communicate our story without equivocation, in simple and clear terms.

This is the language of the day.

The age of equivocation is over!

Yosef Vogel