Dear Friends,
Rebellions are complex.
Some appear straightforward, especially from the viewpoint of hindsight. Our rebellions against Great Britain in the 18th century proved historic, and were for the sake of justice and independence. Of course, the British disagreed. Similarly, the Civil War looks just and righteous as we look back, notwithstanding its massive loss of life, but as we saw a year and a half ago, there are still some who defiantly wave the Confederate flag. Indeed, most rebellions have two sides. Even the Russians, today, propagandize that they are suppressing a Ukrainian Nazi rebellion in Eastern Ukraine.
It would be nice if all could agree on the parameters of justice and injustice, and it would be nice if the good guys always win.
And, rebellions are not new; they are the wallpaper of history, including in the Torah. Several times bands of Israelites murmured and even revolted against Moses’ leadership, and none were more dramatic than the rebellion found in this week’s portion. We read that Korah and some others, “betook himself to rise up against Moses, together with 250 Israelites… They combined against Moses and Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far!” (Numbers 16:1-3)
But, rebellions are complex. In the Torah, Moses called on God to adjudicate the dispute, and God opted for Moses, opening the Earth below the rebels and swallowing them alive. That one proved simple. In recent days, it appears that the earth and its residents are being swallowed summarily. Graves in Ukraine testify to the tragedy of heroic defenders falling before Russian artillery barrages. And, the recent January 6 Committee hearings have revisited to our television screens the unprecedented violence committed on our Capitol 18 months ago. How can one in good conscience argue that there are two sides to these “rebellions?”
Torah offers a teaching. It would argue that though each of two sides can assert their claims, as Korah and his band did, and as Moses replied, there is still not two sides with equal claims of justice. One is faulty. Period. And, in the Torah, that one saw its adherents swallowed alive. Justice prevailed.
As we observe the January 6 hearings, and as we still witness the destruction perpetrated by Russia, it is incumbent upon all of us to heed the message of Torah: when one side is faulty, proclaim it and stand for justice, that it might rightly prevail.
Maybe, rebellions are not so complex.
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
Rebellions are complex.
Some appear straightforward, especially from the viewpoint of hindsight. Our rebellions against Great Britain in the 18th century proved historic, and were for the sake of justice and independence. Of course, the British disagreed. Similarly, the Civil War looks just and righteous as we look back, notwithstanding its massive loss of life, but as we saw a year and a half ago, there are still some who defiantly wave the Confederate flag. Indeed, most rebellions have two sides. Even the Russians, today, propagandize that they are suppressing a Ukrainian Nazi rebellion in Eastern Ukraine.
It would be nice if all could agree on the parameters of justice and injustice, and it would be nice if the good guys always win.
And, rebellions are not new; they are the wallpaper of history, including in the Torah. Several times bands of Israelites murmured and even revolted against Moses’ leadership, and none were more dramatic than the rebellion found in this week’s portion. We read that Korah and some others, “betook himself to rise up against Moses, together with 250 Israelites… They combined against Moses and Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far!” (Numbers 16:1-3)
But, rebellions are complex. In the Torah, Moses called on God to adjudicate the dispute, and God opted for Moses, opening the Earth below the rebels and swallowing them alive. That one proved simple. In recent days, it appears that the earth and its residents are being swallowed summarily. Graves in Ukraine testify to the tragedy of heroic defenders falling before Russian artillery barrages. And, the recent January 6 Committee hearings have revisited to our television screens the unprecedented violence committed on our Capitol 18 months ago. How can one in good conscience argue that there are two sides to these “rebellions?”
Torah offers a teaching. It would argue that though each of two sides can assert their claims, as Korah and his band did, and as Moses replied, there is still not two sides with equal claims of justice. One is faulty. Period. And, in the Torah, that one saw its adherents swallowed alive. Justice prevailed.
As we observe the January 6 hearings, and as we still witness the destruction perpetrated by Russia, it is incumbent upon all of us to heed the message of Torah: when one side is faulty, proclaim it and stand for justice, that it might rightly prevail.
Maybe, rebellions are not so complex.
Rabbi Douglas Kohn