Dear Friends,
Our world is fraught with violence today because two, related peoples cannot live side-by-side.
Some of us know, first-hand, how difficult it is to live with, or alongside, others with whom one cannot live peaceably. Stress, hurt and suffering result. And, eventually, someone commonly must move away.
And, this is not a new, modern phenomenon of today’s urban or global life.
Way back in Genesis, in this week’s Torah portion, we read the encounter of Abraham, then called Abram, and his nephew, Lot, whose shepherds could not function in the same land. The commentary indicates that Lot’s shepherds were evil – though we don’t know what they did to earn that title.
So, what happened?
Abram reached out to Lot and said, “I pray, let there be no strife between me and you, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brethren. Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you will take the left-hand portion, I will take go to the right; or if you will take the right-hand, I will go to the left… and they separated themselves.” (Genesis 13:8-9, 11)
Sometimes, it is just that simple. Robert Frost taught that good fences make good neighbors. Of course, we saw the failure of fences just two weeks ago, but perhaps they were not good-enough fences. A good fence is not only a sturdy fence, but it is one which is respected by both parties.
A parallel story: in the village of Metulla in Israel’s far northern border with Lebanon, there also is a fence. But in Metulla, there is a gate, and for a quarter century it was opened every day so that people with medical matters or to trade or farm, could pass through from Lebanon to Israel, and then back again. It was maintained for decades, and was known as “haGeder haTovah – The Good Fence.” What made it so good? Not only that it was open for humanitarian purposes every day, but that it was not violated. No hostility happened there. Why? Because both sides, even Hezbollah in the north, respected and valued its openness and its meaning.
Yes, sometimes, differing peoples must separate. It is the only way to function in a bad neighborhood. But, if all parties can keep a vision of justice and respect, then perhaps, gates may be opened.
For a better Shabbat,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
Our world is fraught with violence today because two, related peoples cannot live side-by-side.
Some of us know, first-hand, how difficult it is to live with, or alongside, others with whom one cannot live peaceably. Stress, hurt and suffering result. And, eventually, someone commonly must move away.
And, this is not a new, modern phenomenon of today’s urban or global life.
Way back in Genesis, in this week’s Torah portion, we read the encounter of Abraham, then called Abram, and his nephew, Lot, whose shepherds could not function in the same land. The commentary indicates that Lot’s shepherds were evil – though we don’t know what they did to earn that title.
So, what happened?
Abram reached out to Lot and said, “I pray, let there be no strife between me and you, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brethren. Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you will take the left-hand portion, I will take go to the right; or if you will take the right-hand, I will go to the left… and they separated themselves.” (Genesis 13:8-9, 11)
Sometimes, it is just that simple. Robert Frost taught that good fences make good neighbors. Of course, we saw the failure of fences just two weeks ago, but perhaps they were not good-enough fences. A good fence is not only a sturdy fence, but it is one which is respected by both parties.
A parallel story: in the village of Metulla in Israel’s far northern border with Lebanon, there also is a fence. But in Metulla, there is a gate, and for a quarter century it was opened every day so that people with medical matters or to trade or farm, could pass through from Lebanon to Israel, and then back again. It was maintained for decades, and was known as “haGeder haTovah – The Good Fence.” What made it so good? Not only that it was open for humanitarian purposes every day, but that it was not violated. No hostility happened there. Why? Because both sides, even Hezbollah in the north, respected and valued its openness and its meaning.
Yes, sometimes, differing peoples must separate. It is the only way to function in a bad neighborhood. But, if all parties can keep a vision of justice and respect, then perhaps, gates may be opened.
For a better Shabbat,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn