Fighting the Good Fight

Jacqueline Lehrer
University of Ontario

This month we mark several modern holidays, such as Yom Ha’atzmaut and Yom HaZikaron. We also have one of the oldest celebrated holidays, no longer in practice: Pesah Sheini. Pesah Sheini arises not so we can all go through another week of matzah, but so that those who had not been able to share in the Pesah sacrifice in the desert would have a second chance. Those who had been unable to participate the first time did not sit idly by – they demanded an opportunity to take part.

The idea of "Two Jews, Three Opinions," which this issue of KOC considers, is nothing new. Even Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) deals with that, claiming that the worst thing is for a fight to be without Godliness, offering up Korach’s rebellion as its example. However, a dispute is highly praiseworthy if it is in the name of God, for which they cite the example of the legal disagreements of Hillel and Shammai. This is an enduring discussion.

Lag Ba’Omer, another Iyar holiday, marks a break in the plague which came to punish the students of Rabbi Akiva. Rabbi Akiva taught: Ve’ Ahavta L’reyakha Kamokha- Love your neighbour as yourself. His students lost track of the facts, believing that each individual had the one true path and trying to convince the others of his way. This just isn’t the case. We are brought up in a tradition where questions are most important. We see this clearly in biblical exegesis. The Humash (Bible) engenders countless questions and many different commentators attempt to answer these difficulties. We have much to learn from those with whom we disagree.

It is so easy to forget that we must pick our battles carefully and take care with how they are fought. In closing, may we all merit the level of those in the desert who demanded something which would elevate them, so that Pesach Sheini was born. May all our questions and disputes honor God’s name. Enjoy these special holidays.

[Posted 5/6/05]