When we look at the Jewish community today, the first thing many of us notice is how factious we are. After all, there are Sephardic Jews and Ashkenazic Jews. There are Reform and Conservative Jews. There are Modern Orthodox, Centrist Orthodox and Chassidic Jews. There are secular, cultural and even gastronomical Jews! And so the question we must ask ourselves is, “Is having all of these different groups a good thing?” After all, when we consider all of these different Jewish factions, denominations and identities, it is more common to observe discord and discontent, rather than harmony and happiness. However, if we turn to a verse from this week’s parsha, we may be able to better understand and appreciate the nature of Jewish diversity. 

Parshat Re’eh discusses a wide variety of mitzvot ranging from kashrut (the Jewish dietary laws), to the observance of the Thee Pilgrimage Festivals and basic areas of social responsibility. Yet, in the midst of this mitzvah-medley, we learn the following: “You are children to the Lord your God; you shall not cut yourselves and you shall not make a bald spot between your eyes for a dead person” (Devarim 14:1). Now, in its context, the phrase, “You shall not cut yourselves,” is clearly prohibiting an act of self-mutilation upon experiencing a loss through cutting, as Rashi explains, “You shall not make a cutting or a scratch in your flesh over a dead person in the way that the Amorites do, because you are children of the Omnipresent…” (Rashi on Devarim 14:1). However, the Talmud in Tractate Yevamot 13b-14a, interprets this verse to mean that “not making cuts” also applies to the national body of the Jewish people. Based on this understanding, our Sages devised the dictum, “You shall not form separate sects.” According to Rav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch the admonition not to become fractious means, “Differences of opinion regarding the interpretation of the Torah or regarding the conclusions to be drawn from the Torah must not lead to schisms that would break up the community, with one faction following the exponents of one view, and another faction following the exponents of the other view. Rather, all the differences of opinion shall be settled in accordance with the rules provided by the Torah itself for deciding such disputes. Thereby, uniformity of practice shall be maintained…” (Commentary on Devarim 14:1). Thus, from the words of the Talmud and Rav Hirsch, it seems that differences of opinion, differences in practice and adjudication are problematic, in that these differences could result in schisms.

However, if differences of opinion are so problematic, why then, is the Talmud fraught with them! In fact, the Talmud in Tractate Eruvin 13b teaches us, “For three years there was a dispute between Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel, the former asserting, ‘the halakhah is in agreement with our views,’ and the latter contending, ‘the halakhah is in agreement with our views!’ Then, a heavenly voice announced, ‘These and those, (the words of Beit Shammai and the words of Beit Hillel) are the words of the Living God…but the halakhah is like Beit Hillel!” The Talmud goes on to asks the obvious question: If the both the words of Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel are the words of the Living God, why does the halakhah go in accordance with the view of Beit Hillel? And the Talmud answers: “Because [the students of Beit Hillel] were kindly and modest – they studied their own rulings and those of Beit Shammai, and [what’s more] they were even so [humble] as to mention the opinions of Beit Shammai before their own.” 

Differences in opinion, embracing the diversity exhibited by the Jewish people are Jewish values. However, the differences which bind instead of separate, are differences which never seek to disrespect or disparage the other. 

We in Austin are blessed to have such a diverse Jewish community. And so this Shabbat, let us embrace that diversity by exchanging warm Shabbat greetings with our Reform and Conservative brothers and sisters, by taking a moment to connect with people on our beautiful campus whom we might ordinarily not connect with. Let us accept our differences with respect and love, living the meaning of the Talmud’s words, “These and those are the words of the Living God.” 

Shabbat Shalom!

-Rabbi Dan