There is a popular image that Jewish people are loquacious,
effusive in communication with hand gestures, intonation, use of colorful
Yiddish-isms and kibbitzing about all aspects of life in private and in public.
While it has been my pleasure to know many Jews who fit this
description, I am also familiar with many who are quiet, reserved, and
private. My experience suggests that
most, if not the majority, of Jews I know fall into the second category.
Of course – in reality most of us are somewhere in between,
but I am interested to know the reasons that I have perceived what I see as a
shift, again, a trend observed in a decidedly un-scientific way, something felt
in the kishkes – a growing unwillingness in Jewish communities for individuals
to speak up and speak out in constructive ways, a reluctance to enter into
dialogue that could help communities grow in spirit and strength.
Korach, Datan and Aviram, leaders of rebellion
among the people of Israel have no problems speaking out to make their voices
heard. They walk right up to Moses and
Aaron to state their grievances. If we
can leave the circumstances of their recorded fate aside, we notice that their
questions and issues are much different from the spoiled child complaints of
the people for better water or food in the wilderness. Their words suggest a well-thought-out
proposal designed to create a constructive dialogue: All of Israel are holy, they feel that Moses
and Aaron have lorded it over them. They
seem to be coming together as a people, the hundreds of so-called ‘rebels’ to
voice their thoughts. Are we witnessing
the beginning of democracy here?
Moses, to his credit, also speaks up to God saying to an
angered God, “One man has sinned, will You unleash your anger against
everyone?” The Or Ha’chayim makes the
astute observation that Korach has not really sinned to the extent of receiving
the ultimate penalty. He has only
engaged in mumbling against God’s order.
Chizkuni observes that this verse is worded such as to suggest that
there is no surprise here, that it is no surprise that Korach sins, or any other
person among the people, since we have an inborn tendency toward this
behavior. Moses, once again, has the
courage to speak up and speak out, not to roll with God’s intended response.
My hope is that all of us, myself included, might begin to
be more willing to engage in constructive dialogue across the board: about our synagogue, about issues that affect
the Jewish community, about our own spiritual struggles and hopes. There are many avenues for this
dialogue: with me and with leaders of
our community, through the Jewish community relations council, the community
relations advisory board, with local elected officials, the list goes on…
Well thought out and well intentioned dialogue, sharing
issues and struggles so that we might find answers together, are all part of
existing within a living Jewish community.
The real danger is that if we stay too silent, that our communities will
disappear.
This Shabbat I am inviting the exchange in our communities
that can revitalize our connections with our institutions, that can revitalize
the institutions themselves, and that can lead us to grow in our thinking and
leadership.
While the Torah construes Korach as a leader of incitement,
I suggest we take notice of his willingness for engagement.
Let’s begin the active dialogue today.
Shabbat Shalom.
