Dear Friends,
In this week of our midterm elections, we know so clearly that every vote counts, as everyone counts. And, that we count everyone.
So, too, in our Torah portion this week. We read the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, where God was intent to destroy the two cities due to their depravity. Yet, God first determined to inform Abraham, whom God had selected to become a great nation. When Abraham learned that the two communities would be destroyed, he was angered and asked if God would “Sweep away the innocent along with the wicked?” (Genesis 18:23)
Thus, Abraham confronted God. ”Suppose there are fifty innocent in the city – will You indeed sweep away the place, and not spare it for the sake of the fifty innocent who are in its midst?” (Genesis 18:24) Essentially, Abraham challenged God, asking how much did every person truly count? Is it just to sacrifice a few goodly people who are living or sojourning among others who are wicked? Is it the cost of managing good and evil that we sometimes have to allow some goodly souls to suffer?
As well, and similarly, is this essentially the cost of living in a democracy? As we learned on January 6, 2021, there are those who contend violently with elections with whose results they disagree – essentially, not agreeing with the count.
Democracy, and living in a just society, requires that individuals suspend their own privilege for the sake of the larger good, even when that requires that the views of some people, or the lives of some people, are lost to majoritarianism. And, admittedly, in America, the rule that majority wins is skewed due to gerrymandering, the Electoral College, voter suppression, redistricting, and the effects of big donors and super PACs. The idea that one person- one vote, is not so simple. Yes, it is not easy; it can be messy. This demands that one may speak out, like Abraham, but essentially accept the decision, once it is determined.
With Sodom and Gomorrah, God did concede that if Abraham could find fifty righteous people, the cities would be spared. Then, Abraham asked, what if I only find 45. God conceded, and Abraham pushed the argument until they reached ten righteous people, when God departed, drawing the line.
Who counts? We would like to think that we all do. Even, when sometimes it doesn’t seem to work out that way.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
In this week of our midterm elections, we know so clearly that every vote counts, as everyone counts. And, that we count everyone.
So, too, in our Torah portion this week. We read the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, where God was intent to destroy the two cities due to their depravity. Yet, God first determined to inform Abraham, whom God had selected to become a great nation. When Abraham learned that the two communities would be destroyed, he was angered and asked if God would “Sweep away the innocent along with the wicked?” (Genesis 18:23)
Thus, Abraham confronted God. ”Suppose there are fifty innocent in the city – will You indeed sweep away the place, and not spare it for the sake of the fifty innocent who are in its midst?” (Genesis 18:24) Essentially, Abraham challenged God, asking how much did every person truly count? Is it just to sacrifice a few goodly people who are living or sojourning among others who are wicked? Is it the cost of managing good and evil that we sometimes have to allow some goodly souls to suffer?
As well, and similarly, is this essentially the cost of living in a democracy? As we learned on January 6, 2021, there are those who contend violently with elections with whose results they disagree – essentially, not agreeing with the count.
Democracy, and living in a just society, requires that individuals suspend their own privilege for the sake of the larger good, even when that requires that the views of some people, or the lives of some people, are lost to majoritarianism. And, admittedly, in America, the rule that majority wins is skewed due to gerrymandering, the Electoral College, voter suppression, redistricting, and the effects of big donors and super PACs. The idea that one person- one vote, is not so simple. Yes, it is not easy; it can be messy. This demands that one may speak out, like Abraham, but essentially accept the decision, once it is determined.
With Sodom and Gomorrah, God did concede that if Abraham could find fifty righteous people, the cities would be spared. Then, Abraham asked, what if I only find 45. God conceded, and Abraham pushed the argument until they reached ten righteous people, when God departed, drawing the line.
Who counts? We would like to think that we all do. Even, when sometimes it doesn’t seem to work out that way.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
