A Call for Unity after the Disunity of the Unity Rally

Guest post from contributor Yosef Hirsh

You asked for some less polarizing content, and we are glad to provide, from the eloquent, erudite, and ever-thought-provoking Yosef Hirsh.

I would like to provide a counter- perspective on the recent controversy surrounding the Rally for Israel  that took place. 

There is a perception that the Agudah only reflected a more “Right wing view” by discouraging  attendance and many feel like they are “Hashkafically Homeless” by their perception that Aguda has  leaned more to the right in recent years. 

I do think there is truth to the fact that some Jews feel disenfranchised and “Hashkafically homeless” by  the Agudah. 

However, that sentiment is rooted in a flawed understanding of Machlokes in klal Yisroel. 

The first real split among our sages was the machlokes Beis Hillel and Beis Shammai. 

Reb Yisroel Salanter (Ohr Yisroel 31 ) explains the reason why the students of Hillel and Shammai  consistently were unified in their opposition to each other was predicated on personality traits that  would make them resonate to their respective sides. 

The Malbim (Bamidbar 19:2) and Rav Dessler (Michtav Me-Eliyahu 2:118) explain that the root of the  machlokes was in Middas Gevura versus Middas Chesed. 

Shammai emphasized the quality of Gevurah, meaning Restraint. 

According to Beis Shammai the right way to live is inwardly aimed, with single minded focus on learning  Torah and Avodah, leaving worldly matters to others. 

The world presents many spiritual dangers and dangerous distractions that can pull a Jew off the path of  service to G-d. 

(The Talmudic statement “Better that man wouldn’t be created, now that he was, he should examine his  actions” is attributed to Beis Shammai, reflecting their apprehension of the world and its pitfalls) 

Hillel emphasized the quality of Chesed, outreach. 

The students of Hillel’s academy acknowledged the spiritual dangers that the world presents, but they  still felt that proper service of G-d included dealing with the world, while being mindful of the spiritual  hazards. 

If one looks at many of the topics of dispute among Klal Yisroel, he will notice that this conundrum is at the root of many of them.

Do we try to close ourselves off from the world, technological advancements and outreach and try to  influence the world by focusing on internal spiritual work, or do we acknowledge the danger but feel that it is still our moral responsibility to act? 

Both sides have legitimate roots dating back to the original argument of Hillel and Shammai. 

It is incumbent on everyone to look internally and figure out if they belong to Beis Shammai or Hillel and follow the Gedolim that seem to represent that side. 

As the Reb Yisroel Salanter explains, your internal nature will make you naturally gravitate towards one side or the other. 

There were Gedolim that signed on the ban and Gedolim that didn’t. There were also some very prominent Rabbanim that attended. 

Follow the Gedolim that you resonate with, and understand that the opposition has a legitimate view as well. 

May we use this perspective to appreciate both sides of all the various issues that are rooted in this  argument, and be more forgiving to both legitimate sides and iy’’h use this unity to bring the Geulah soon! 

Good Voch!