Dear Friends,
Following the election, this week I wondered what I had thought and what I had written in previous quadrennial years, after previous American presidential elections. I found the following D’var Torah to this week’s Torah portion, which I wrote after John Kerry conceded the 2004 election to George Bush. I have left it untouched, leaving the message of 16 years ago to stand.
“And Abraham bowed down before the people of the land.” (Gen. 23:12)
And John Kerry bowed down before the people of the land…
And George Bush bowed down before the people of the land…
Graciousness is a critical ingredient for living among others. After the vituperous and contentious campaign, it is nice to witness polite and proper behavior. We cannot always live only among like-minded family, friends and neighbors. Differences abound, and in truth, they are what make both our nation great and our lives interesting. Yet, living graciously and respectfully with these differences all too often is a missing component in what ought to be civil society.
In this week’s Torah portion, Abraham suffers the death of his wife, Sarah, and he seeks a burial place from among the neighboring Hittites. Learning of Sarah’s death, the Hittites generously offered any parcel of land – for the appropriate price – and initiated negotiations with the aging Israelite patriarch. Each party speaks courteously and amiably with the other, and upon engaging one another, “Abraham bowed down before the people of the land.”
Making candid conciliatory gestures is a rich and proper part of goodly human discourse. It is too often overlooked.
Driving on the freeway, we observe many varieties of signals and gesticulations. Sitting in a ballpark, we witness many types of hand signals. Even in the supermarket, the courthouse and the sanctuary, graciousness is not always the rule of thumb.
If opposing political candidates can master their massive emotional impulses after lengthy and consuming campaigns, and extend the proper graciousness to one another and to a polarized electorate, I think we all can do so, as well. For winners and losers, alike, the place of gentility, civility and graciousness is vital to living well with our neighbors, whether we have just voted, or bought a burial plot.
“And Abraham bowed down before the people of the land.”
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
Following the election, this week I wondered what I had thought and what I had written in previous quadrennial years, after previous American presidential elections. I found the following D’var Torah to this week’s Torah portion, which I wrote after John Kerry conceded the 2004 election to George Bush. I have left it untouched, leaving the message of 16 years ago to stand.
“And Abraham bowed down before the people of the land.” (Gen. 23:12)
And John Kerry bowed down before the people of the land…
And George Bush bowed down before the people of the land…
Graciousness is a critical ingredient for living among others. After the vituperous and contentious campaign, it is nice to witness polite and proper behavior. We cannot always live only among like-minded family, friends and neighbors. Differences abound, and in truth, they are what make both our nation great and our lives interesting. Yet, living graciously and respectfully with these differences all too often is a missing component in what ought to be civil society.
In this week’s Torah portion, Abraham suffers the death of his wife, Sarah, and he seeks a burial place from among the neighboring Hittites. Learning of Sarah’s death, the Hittites generously offered any parcel of land – for the appropriate price – and initiated negotiations with the aging Israelite patriarch. Each party speaks courteously and amiably with the other, and upon engaging one another, “Abraham bowed down before the people of the land.”
Making candid conciliatory gestures is a rich and proper part of goodly human discourse. It is too often overlooked.
Driving on the freeway, we observe many varieties of signals and gesticulations. Sitting in a ballpark, we witness many types of hand signals. Even in the supermarket, the courthouse and the sanctuary, graciousness is not always the rule of thumb.
If opposing political candidates can master their massive emotional impulses after lengthy and consuming campaigns, and extend the proper graciousness to one another and to a polarized electorate, I think we all can do so, as well. For winners and losers, alike, the place of gentility, civility and graciousness is vital to living well with our neighbors, whether we have just voted, or bought a burial plot.
“And Abraham bowed down before the people of the land.”
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
