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EXODUS | 19:6 holy — EXOD328 The right to privacy is at the core of hu...

EXOD328 The right to privacy is at the core of human dignity. The more our privacy is invaded, the more we lose two central components of our dignity--namely, our individuality and respect we command from others. When our innermost selves become the subject for the knowledge and criticism of others, the resulting social pressure will quickly wear away our individuality... The community does have a right and, indeed, a duty to establish and enforce some norms, but if the community can know and scrutinize absolutely every one of our thoughts and actions, we will inevitably displease the majority in some ways and lose their esteem in the process. Conversely, the very requirement to honor and protect a person's privacy both stems from, and engenders, an inherent regard for that person. Thus by preserving human individuality and honor, privacy contributes to human dignity. Privacy is at the heart of mutual trust and friendship. If you reveal things I tell you in confidence, I will think twice before entrusting you as a business partner, a colleague, or a friend. Privacy also enables creativity to flourish, for it protects nonconformist people from interference by others. Along the same lines, privacy is a prerequisite for a free and tolerant society, for each person has secrets that concern weaknesses that we dare not reveal to a competitive world, dreams that others may ridicule, past deeds that bear no relevance to present conduct, or desires that a judgmental and hypocritical public may condemn. These moral concerns justify the protection of privacy in any society, but a religious tradition like Judaism adds yet other rationales for safeguarding an individual’s privacy. First... the Jewish tradition teaches us that when we reveal a person's secrets we not only defame that person, but we dishonor the image of God within that person and thus God Himself. Moreover, God intends that the Israelites be “a kingdom of priests and a holy people” (Exodus 19:6). Among other things that the Torah requires of Jews so that they might become a holy people... [is that they] protect a person's home, reputation, and communication by forbidding both intrusion and disclosure

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Source KeyDORFF-RUTTENBERGWAR
Verse19:6
Keyword(s)holy
Source Page(s)10-11

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