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I TORAH PORTION 1
Ruth Schwartz, ASID, NHFL
Interior Designer
SILVER NEEDLE TAILOR SHOP
Under New Management
A Controversy In
The Name Of Heaven
RABBI IRWIN GRONER
Special to The Jewish News
T
his week's Torah por-
tion describes a great
mutiny, led by Korach
of the tribe of Levi, who was
jealous of the authority of
Moses and intent upon
wresting the leadership of the
people from Moses' hand.
The revolt led anarchy, un-
til the complete vindication of
Moses was necessary. The
rebels were destroyed and
Moses and Aaron were re-
stored to their positions of
eminence.
Centuries later, the sages
who analyzed the story realiz-
ed that the issue it presented
was not simple. Did Korach
have the right to rise up
Shabbat Korach:
Numbers
16:1-18:32,
I Samuel
11:14-12:22
against Moses? Is all revolt
against authority wrong?
Should differences of opinion
ever be tolerated? Are there
occasions when controversy is
both desirable and necessary?
The sages made a distinc-
tion in the fifth chapter of
Pirkei Avot, the Ethics of the
Fathers. They said: "Every
controversy which is in the
name of heaven is destined to
endure, and that which is not
in the name of heaven is not
destined to endure. Which is
the controversy in the name
of heaven? That is the con-
troversy of Hillel and Sham-
mai. And that which is not in
the name of heaven? That is
the controversy of Korach and
his group."
Arguments in the name of
heaven are characterized by
two essential attitudes. First
is a sincerity of purpose on
both sides not to gain a vic-
tory, but to establish truth
and fairness.
Second, participants in con-
flict, in spite of their profound
disagreement, are keenly
aware of the things that unite
them.
Korach, in his rebellion
against Moses, was not con-
cerned with the survival of
the Jewish people. In order to
achieve his ambition, he was
prepared to allow a fatal
schism to develop. Korach
wanted power, even at the ex-
pense of the unity of Israel.
He rejected the spiritual
values of the Torah.
The controversy between
Hillel and Shammai, on the
other hand, was that between
two leaders who put Judaism
first and themselves second.
Each was convinced of the
truth of his position and
Judaism was greatly enrich-
ed by the intellectual warfare
carried on by the two scholars
and their schools. The unity
of the Jewish people was
never at risk, but the cause of
learning was advanced.
Today, however, we tend to
cast a distrustful eye upon
controversy. The very term
implies unpleasantness, dis-
sension and injury. We feel
that controversy is danger-
ous: It widens risks and pro-
motes anarchy. For the sake
of maintaining discipline and
a state of uniformity we seek
to curb controversy.
The sages would argue that
this attitude is incorrect. Un-
doubtedly, many controver-
sies are unnecessary and
detrimental, but if all con-
troversy were denied, some of
the most vital forces in socie-
ty will have been suppressed.
Controversy makes possible
the growth of truth and the
advancement of human
welfare. Differences of opinion
stimulate further study and
more intense inquiry. The
Babylonian Talmud, a
monumental achievement of
traditional Judaism, is large-
ly based upon intellectual
controversies between
scholars and their schools.
The American system of
government is predicated on
the existence of a permanent
conflict between political par-
ties. The continuous rivalry
between Democrats and
Republicans is the safeguard
of democracy and the best
assurance of continued
progress.
Once a party becomes
strong enough or influential
enough to suppress dif-
ferences by force or power,
democracy is in danger. We
should treasure our op-
ponents, for they challenge us
to defend and articulate the
truths we hold dear.
B'nai Mitzvah
Observed
Students in an adult class
at Temple Israel recently
observed their b'nai mitzvah.
Those participating in the
rite were Arda Barenholtz,
Denny Camiener, Marcia
Fishman, Rick Halberg,
Margie Krasnick, Bill
LaKritz, Lois Rubin, Debra
Walter, Sheila Stone and
Isabel Sweet.
"creating the possible when you
thought it was impossible"
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THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS