Dear Friends,
Our society appears to be more polarized today than ever before. Whether its politics, the Coronavirus, the Black Lives Matter movement, or the environment, the protests and disputes surrounding important issues and challenges plaguing our society are lively and vivacious.
In
Pirke Avoth
our Mishnah differentiates between two different types of disputes: disputes for the sake of heaven that will endure, and those which are not, which will not endure. The examples given in the Mishnah of dispute for the sake of heaven are the many disputes between Rabbis Shamai and Hillel. They were passionate and heated at times, but they were important and helped us as a people productively grapple with our tradition and values in meaningful ways. The example given of a dispute that will not endure is from this week’s Torah portion, when Korach led an uprising challenging Moses’s leadership. The reason this protest was considered to be of the latter category was because according to the Rabbis, Korach’s challenge was self-serving and motivated by power. It was not brought on by his concern for the Israelite people and their wellbeing, but rather his own jealousy, lack of perspective, and personal ambition.
When I look at all of the issues that divide us, and when I look at the many ways in which we as a society dispute, challenge, and protest for our concerns, I think about the important distinction that was drawn in our Mishnah. At times, like Korach, we can be blinded by our own ambition, allegiances, and stubbornness. When that happens, just like Korach, our advocacy can often do more harm than good. However, when I look at the many issues that we are standing up and fighting for, whatever side of the issues we may be on, like Shammai and Hillel I believe it comes from a place of love, of passion, and concern. These protests are for the sake of heaven and will endure.
It is my hope and prayer for all of us, as we continue to push, to advocate, and to debate and engage in disputes over things in our lives that are important, that we can learn from the mistakes made by Korach. May we all be inspired by the debates of Shammai and Hillel, to passionately, vociferously, and enthusiastically stand up for what we believe in, ensuring that our mission and vision of a more just, kind, and compassionate world for all will endure.
I want to remind everyone that we are resuming in-person Kabbalat Shabbat Services at Tifereth Israel this week.
Please click here
for more information on how to participate and to RSVP.
Wishing you all health, happiness, and a
Shabbat Shalom
,
Rabbi Josh Dorsch
