The Rabbi confessed that his colleagues occasionally spoke of Rabin and his government in language intemperate, irresponsible and envenomed. But that was no justification for Rabin to reciprocate in kind. For they were merely rabbis, while he was a world class statesman, who ought to set himself a higher standard.
Good diplomacy can make for flawed hashkafa.
Mr. Rabin, with all due respect, was a veteran politician. Of talmidei hakhamim, however, we expect something different. The words of Torah must be spoken with honesty, dignity and humility. The pious Jew must conduct himself in a manner that engenders respect for Torah. A significant segment of the Orthodox community liked to express its opposition to the security policy of Mr. Rabin's government by routinely castigating its ministers as murderers, Nazis and traitors.