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From Differences
Comes Creation
Parshat Bereshit: Genesis 1:1-6:8;
Isaiah 42:5-43:10.
mong the most defining fea-
Jewish institutions and traditional
tures of Jewish culture is the
synagogues, while others litigate the
presence of robust argument. extent to which such concerns are
We argue about everything — good or exaggerated. As this argument goes on,
bad, minor or significant.
we cannot postpone our efforts. We
An old joke states, two Jews
must proceed with attempts
— three opinions. Some see
to reinvigorate our faith
arguing as bad, but for Jewish
and tradition for a new gen-
culture it has been a source
eration, and I am extremely
of great creativity. The argu-
proud to have joined a Jewish
ments back and forth in the
community that is doing just
Talmud between great rab-
that.
bis became the basis for our
This year, I was one of six
halachic, ritual observances
new congregational rabbis
Rabbi Brent
— and these arguments have
appointed in Metro Detroit
Gutmann
led us to better appreciate the
(seven if you count Rabbi Josh
complexity of our world.
Whinston of Temple Beth
Not only that, our religious imagi-
Emeth in Ann Arbor). These appoint-
nation finds our proclivity for argu-
ments signal that while we are aware
ment reflected in the highest realms.
of trends, we and our congregations
An early rabbinic commentary tells
are determined not to be dampened
a story that just before God created
by future projections. Whether your
human beings, the angels broke into
congregation is among those who
argument. Human beings were to be
appointed a new rabbi this year or not,
given free will, and the angels formed
we must continue encouraging the
sides. Some argued the new creation
respectful arguments and the diverse
endowed with free will would veer
religious community they advance; but
toward good, benefiting the world.
we must also proceed in attempting
Their opponents argued free will
to inspire a new generation of Jews to
would welcome corruption, falsehood
perpetuate the mission of the Jewish
and injustice. As the story goes, while
people.
the angels argued and the jury was still
I would like to sincerely thank my
out, the Holy One proceeded to create
congregation, Temple Kol Ami, and
human beings. (Bereshit Rabbah 8:5)
the Metro Detroit Jewish community
The presence of arguments is evi-
for having the courage to assert their
dence of a healthy society that dem-
optimism in the future of American
onstrates comfort in speaking freely
Jewish congregations by employing so
and challenging the authoritativeness
many new rabbis this year.
of spurious statements. But arguments
There are challenges to overcome
can also encumber and paralyze. In
as we look forward to the future, and
recent decades, alarmists have alleged
surely there will be arguments about
that American Judaism, especially lib-
the best way to proceed; but whatever
eral Judaism, is in trouble. They point
side of the argument we are on, the
to declining national affiliation rates,
jury is still out. Thus, let us commence
low rates of teen and young adult
with creating.
engagement, increasing intermarriage
Brent Gutmann is rabbi at Temple Kol Ami in
and so forth.
West Bloomfield.
These measurements, alarmists
claim, signal trouble for established
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October 27 • 2016
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