While many rulers throughout history have tried to wipe out all traces of their opponents as a symbol of strength, the Jewish people hold a strong value in maintaining and respecting the minority opinion.
The greatest example of this concept in action is between Hillel and Shammai, the two great houses of study. You can thank Hillel for lighting 1 candle the first night of Chanukah, adding a candle each night. Shammai wanted to start with 8 and take one away every day. It’s taught: “For three years there was a dispute between Beit [the School of] Hillel and Beit [the School of] Shammai, the former asserting, “The law is in agreement with our views,” and the latter contending, “The law is in agreement with our views.” Then a bat kol, a voice from heaven, announced, Eilu v’eilu divrei Elohim Chayim, “These and those are the words of the Living God,” adding, “but the law is in agreement with the rulings of Beit Hillel.”
Since both “Eilu v’eilu are the words of the Living God,” what entitled [the members of] Beit Hillel to have the law fixed according to their rulings? Because they were kindly and modest, they studied their own rulings and those of Beit Shammai, and were even so humble to mention the words of Beit Shammai before their own (Babylonian Talmud, Eruvin 13b).
We are a people that makes space for dissenting opinions and the most respected individuals are those who even teach the ideas of their colleagues and their opponents before their own. We don’t bury an idea that does not engender the most support. We must foster a community that embraces differing perspectives.
Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Bernstein
Stay connected with the Bellmore Jewish Center. Check out what is going on:
Shabbat, Mar 12th 9:30a to 11:00a
Free Lunch and Learn with guest scholar, Rabbi Dario Bialer
Topic: Balancing Work, Home, and Sex, in the Rabbinic Period
Shabbat morning March 19, 12:15-1:15 PM
Be a Bartender for an Evening (Beth El)
Motzei Shabbat, Mar 19th 8:30p to 11:30p
Sunday, Mar 20th 10:00a to 12:00p
Thursday, Mar 24th (All day)
April Fools Family Shabbat Service/Dinner
Friday, Apr 1st 6:30p to 9:00p
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We invite all of our Birthdays and Anniversaries to come down Friday night to open the ark for Aleinu and receive a special blessing from Rabbi Bernstein. Just let the office know that you are coming (516) 781-3072.
Birthday Mazal Tov’s
Jesse Liebman
Benjamin Rabinowitz
Samantha Stern
Anniversary Mazal Tov
Ellen & Glen Schneer
