Dear Friends,
It is July 4. Today, we reflect on the ideals of America and our place in history. We celebrate the visions of America’s founders, and we honor the achievements of those who have followed their ideals of democracy.
Locally, we treasure the very home in which George Washington lived during the last years of the Revolutionary War, and we honor the presence of Alexander Hamilton, who served as our commander and also dwelled in our City.
Commonly, it is a time of celebration, parties, and fireworks. Unless, the fireworks come in the form of revolt.
As our 2024 presidential election season becomes more energized, we cannot help but reflect back on January 6, 2021. That day is seared in our history and memory, irrespective of whatever political positioning one adheres to. Such is the nature of revolts against elected leadership. It challenges and uproots the social fabric.
Not only did we experience it in Washington, and across America, but three-plus years ago, it returned in our Torah portion this week. There were several challenges to Moses’ leadership during his time in the desert, the most serious of which occurred this week. We read, “Now Korach... betook himself to rise up against Moses, together with two hundred and fifty Israelites... They combined against Moses and Aaron. ‘You have gone too far! …’Why then do you raise yourselves above the Eternal’s congregation?’” (Numbers 16:1-3)
On the surface, Korach’s charge might seem fair. It could appear that Moses was highly elevated, or that Moses had arrogated to himself undue authority. Yet, it was not Moses who placed him there. It was God. And the Torah recognizes that there are many ways to question authority; leading an uprising is not sanctioned behavior.
God would defeat the insurgents and reassert the authority of Moses and the Priests. Clearly, God would not countenance improper challenges. Torah perceived a charge against Moses or Aaron as a rebellion against God, which could not be abided.
It is worthy to note that challenging authority is intrinsic to Jewish history. Moses went face-to-face with Pharaoh. The prophets contested decisions of centuries of Jewish kings, and later rabbinic figures argued nearly every point and position in the Talmud. Yet, these are arguments of ideas, and they recognize that humans must engage with one another over issues, concerns and policies. However, challenges to proper leadership, with arms and physical threats, must be defeated and cannot be condoned. Ultimately, challenges to such authority were challenges to the sovereignty of God.
Hence, on this July 4, we reflect on revolt itself. It is both difficult and upsetting. But, just as this Torah portion comes around every year demanding attention, so too, must we use its lens to look at the wider world in which we live.
With Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
It is July 4. Today, we reflect on the ideals of America and our place in history. We celebrate the visions of America’s founders, and we honor the achievements of those who have followed their ideals of democracy.
Locally, we treasure the very home in which George Washington lived during the last years of the Revolutionary War, and we honor the presence of Alexander Hamilton, who served as our commander and also dwelled in our City.
Commonly, it is a time of celebration, parties, and fireworks. Unless, the fireworks come in the form of revolt.
As our 2024 presidential election season becomes more energized, we cannot help but reflect back on January 6, 2021. That day is seared in our history and memory, irrespective of whatever political positioning one adheres to. Such is the nature of revolts against elected leadership. It challenges and uproots the social fabric.
Not only did we experience it in Washington, and across America, but three-plus years ago, it returned in our Torah portion this week. There were several challenges to Moses’ leadership during his time in the desert, the most serious of which occurred this week. We read, “Now Korach... betook himself to rise up against Moses, together with two hundred and fifty Israelites... They combined against Moses and Aaron. ‘You have gone too far! …’Why then do you raise yourselves above the Eternal’s congregation?’” (Numbers 16:1-3)
On the surface, Korach’s charge might seem fair. It could appear that Moses was highly elevated, or that Moses had arrogated to himself undue authority. Yet, it was not Moses who placed him there. It was God. And the Torah recognizes that there are many ways to question authority; leading an uprising is not sanctioned behavior.
God would defeat the insurgents and reassert the authority of Moses and the Priests. Clearly, God would not countenance improper challenges. Torah perceived a charge against Moses or Aaron as a rebellion against God, which could not be abided.
It is worthy to note that challenging authority is intrinsic to Jewish history. Moses went face-to-face with Pharaoh. The prophets contested decisions of centuries of Jewish kings, and later rabbinic figures argued nearly every point and position in the Talmud. Yet, these are arguments of ideas, and they recognize that humans must engage with one another over issues, concerns and policies. However, challenges to proper leadership, with arms and physical threats, must be defeated and cannot be condoned. Ultimately, challenges to such authority were challenges to the sovereignty of God.
Hence, on this July 4, we reflect on revolt itself. It is both difficult and upsetting. But, just as this Torah portion comes around every year demanding attention, so too, must we use its lens to look at the wider world in which we live.
With Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
