By Eli Bass—Director of Jewish Life
There is a legend of the 1st century B.C.E. Rabbi Hillel the Elder. Hillel the Elder is the namesake for Hillel, the organization on campus committed to cultivating Jewish community. Hillel’s rival was named Shammai. Shammai and Hillel had deep disputes, which divided the Jewish world for generations. The story goes that Shammai was asked by a potential convert to tell him the teachings of his tradition on one foot. Shammai dismissed this convert, likely because his request was to over-simplify his tradition and beliefs. When Hillel the Elder was asked the same question by this convert, he quoted Leviticus 19:18.
“Love your neighbor as yourself,” he continued. “The rest of the Torah is commentary; now go out and learn it.” This verse is often called the Golden Rule. This is the commitment of a wide variety of traditions. I have enjoyed learning about many of them from the Golden Rule Project website. To me the Golden Rule becomes challenging as I look to those with whom I have deep disagreement.
Next Tuesday is the presidential election. I am deeply concerned about the rhetoric that has been used this election. Specifically, I am concerned about the way we have been talking about Americans who are not like us. It is said that elections have consequences. One clear consequence is that slightly less than half of Americans who vote in this election will have their candidate lose. Some rhetoric is frightening and suggests the use of violence. How can we bring our country together after this divisive and drawn-out campaign season?
People will often look to the president to bring the country together. I speculate that neither of the major party candidates may have this ability. The vilification of both candidates and their supporters cause us to have a fractured American society. As a part of American society, I believe it is all of our responsibilities to create civil discourse.
On campus, I have been impressed by the deep community commitment to civil dialogue. Several events have highlighted our community commitment to civil discussion. While we are not perfect, Susquehanna is a model of the way the country should be. We engage in civil conversation with those who don’t share our backgrounds and beliefs. It challenges us to our core. It also makes us more empathetic and stronger as individuals.
Rabbi Nachman of Breslov is a legendary Hasidic rabbi from the 18th and 19th centuries. He said: “If someone is completely wicked, you need to search and find any little bit of good. By finding in him a little good and judging him favorably you actually bring him over to the side of merit and you can return him in teshuva.”
Nachman here challenges me to my core. What are my judgements of others that cause them to be seen as an evil? How do I confront myself and create dialogue even when it is extremely difficult? Nachman challenges us to apologize for moments when we can only see others as evil. As a passionate election watcher, I recognize my own moments of unfair judgement.
Jewish history is filled with challenging conflicts. I am appreciative of the resolution of the conflict between Hillel and Shammai. Hillel won the backing of the Jewish community. The stated reason for this is that Hillel would on occasion defer to the opinions of Shammai.
College is a time to engage with people who are not like you and be more prepared as a world citizen. No matter the outcome of the election, I hope you will share my commitment to cultivate civil and diverse dialogue both on campus and off.
Director’s Discussion reflects the views of an individual member of the religious field. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the entire university. The content of the Forum page is the responsibility of the editor in chief and the Forum editor.
