01/18/2024 05:00:41 PM
In this week's Torah portion, Bo, before the final plague in Egypt, the Israelites marked their doorposts with lamb's blood. In the Torah, blood was typically considered ritually polluting, but here it becomes a symbol of protection, keeping the Israelites safe from the final plague. Today, our community faces a different kind of plague – one of division and disagreement.
Last night, the Ann Arbor Board of Education and the Washtenaw County Commissioners passed separate ceasefire resolutions. These actions have sparked varied reactions within our Jewish community, revealing divisions not just about the resolutions, but about the larger context of war and peace.
In these times, I have heard diverse opinions from our community members. While many support my stance on the conflict, others express disagreement. Such dissent is not limited to my inbox; it permeates our communal spaces as well.
As we navigate these challenging times, it's crucial to remember the importance of approaching each other with compassion. Disagreeing on a ceasefire does not make someone a warmonger, just as advocating for it doesn't make one an apologist for Hamas. Most of us, I believe, are guided by a sincere desire for the well-being of the Jewish people and humanity at large.
Our sages distinguished between disagreements "for the sake of heaven" and those that are not. The 13th Century Spanish Rabbi Menachem Meiri described this difference eloquently. He spoke of Hillel and Shammai, who debated vigorously but always sought truth rather than victory. In contrast, Korach's disagreement with Moses was driven by envy and ambition.
As we engage in discussions within our community, let us strive to argue for the sake of truth and understanding, rather than to prevail over one another. Let our disagreements be like the lamb's blood in ancient Egypt – not a symbol of division, but ironically a protective mark, preserving us from the plague of discord that threatens to divide us. In our respectful and sincere debates, may we find the strength to keep our community united, even in the face of adversity.
