AUGUST 18 • 2022 | 51 A Sign of Compromise I n today’s world of red or blue states, far left or far right, compro- mise has become a dirty word. There is a prevail- ing sense in discourse that it must be all or nothing, black or white, right or wrong. Nuance, shades of meaning and willingness to meet in the middle, to compro- mise to create win-win situations has been lost. This was not always the case. The art of compromise was once a time-honored technique that was used to build bridges between opposing viewpoints and promote collaboration between opposing sides. Compromise is a pragmatic approach that enables people to get things done. Each party acknowledges the other’s needs and point of view and gives in a lit- tle to still get a lot, if not all, of what they want. As part of our Jewish tradi- tion, we have a signpost, a daily reminder of the importance of seeking compromise as a way of ending conflict. In this week’s Torah portion of Ekev, we find the words that are included in the mezuzah: Impress My words upon your very heart: bind them as a sign on your hand and let them serve as a symbol on your forehead and teach them to your children — reciting them when you stay at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you get up; and inscribe them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 11:18-20) As a way of fulfilling the commandment contained in these words “inscribe them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,” the sages created the concept of a special box, a mezuzah (which means doorpost), that would be attached to Jewish doorposts. Inside these special boxes are placed the words from this week’s parshah along with the biblical passage found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9. When it came to how the mezuzah should be hung on our doorposts there was a major rabbinic disagreement. Rashi, (1040-1105), the lead- ing Torah scholar of his time, declared that the mezuzah should be hung vertically so that it would point to the Almighty in Heaven. Rabbani Tam, Rashi’s grandson, argued that standing up was disre- spectful and that the mezuzah should be hung horizontally like the way that the Torah and Tablets were arranged in the holy ark in the Temple. To accommodate these two opposing viewpoints a pragmatic compromise was reached. It was declared that a mezuzah should be hung nei- ther vertically nor horizontally, but on an angle with its top leaning into the home. The next time you pass by a mezuzah, think about this rabbinic solution to two con- flicting viewpoints. Sometimes it is better to create a solution where everyone benefits, where each side compromises a bit in order to maintain peace and pragmatically get things done. Jeffrey Lasday is now senior chief, External Affairs, Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. Jeff Lasday Parshat Ekev: Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25; Isaiah 49:14-5:13. As featured on: Need Help with an IRS or State Tax Problem? Call the experts at 1-800-TAX-LEVY (829-5389) • Tax Liens • Collection Notices • Penalties • Unfi led Tax Returns • Audits Call us today to answer your questions or to schedule a meeting and say goodbye to those sleepless nights! 1-800-TAX-LEVY (829-5389) www.levytaxhelp.com We Listen …. We Care … We Help! HQ: 28400 Southf eld Road., Lathrup Village, Michigan 48076 S.D.: Owed the IRS $207,214. With our help, the case was settled for $7352. D.D.: Client owed the IRS $110,203. Our f rm negotiated an Offer in Compromise to settle the debt for $12,226. L.J.: With our assistance, client’s IRS debt of $1,014,078 was reduced to $100,490. Let our team of Attorneys, CPAs, Tax Consultants and former IRS Revenue Of cers provide you with immediate relief from IRS and State tax problems. Why Choose Levy & Associates to help with your tax problems? • 22 years of specializing in tax resolution and working with the IRS and State Taxing Authorities • We have helped thousands of clients nationwide to save tens of millions of dollars each year! • Unlike other fi rms, all work on your account is kept in-house • A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau Sincerely, Lawrence B. Levy, President Need Help with an IRS or State Tax Problem? As featured on: Need Help with an IRS or State Tax Problem? Call the experts at 1-800-TAX-LEVY (829-5389) • Tax Liens • Collection Notices • Penalties • Unfi led Tax Returns • Audits Call us today to answer your questions or to schedule a meeting and say goodbye to those sleepless nights! 1-800-TAX-LEVY (829-5389) www.levytaxhelp.com We Listen …. We Care … We Help! HQ: 28400 Southf eld Road., Lathrup Village, Michigan 48076 S.D.: Owed the IRS $207,214. With our help, the case was settled for $7352. D.D.: Client owed the IRS $110,203. Our f rm negotiated an Offer in Compromise to settle the debt for $12,226. L.J.: With our assistance, client’s IRS debt of $1,014,078 was reduced to $100,490. Let our team of Attorneys, CPAs, Tax Consultants and former IRS Revenue Of cers provide you with immediate relief from IRS and State tax problems. Why Choose Levy & Associates to help with your tax problems? • 22 years of specializing in tax resolution and working with the IRS and State Taxing Authorities • We have helped thousands of clients nationwide to save tens of millions of dollars each year! • Unlike other fi rms, all work on your account is kept in-house • A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau Sincerely, Lawrence B. Levy, President 1.800.TAX.LEVY www.levytaxhelp.com 28400 Southfi eld Rd, Lathrup Village, MI 48076 AS FEATURED IN Call us today to answer your questions or to schedule a meeting and say goodbye to those sleepless nights! • Tax Liens • Collection Notices • Penalties • Unfi led Tax Returns • Audits M.F.: Owed the State of Michigan $100,578. With our help, the case was settled for $100. R.N.: Owed the IRS $709,000. Our fi rm negotiated an Off er in Compromise to settle the debt for $1,000. S.F.: With our assistance, client’s IRS debt of $207,663 was reduced to $5,837. Let our team of Attorneys, CPAs, Tax Consultants and former IRS Revenue Offi cers provide you with immediate relief. 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