Shalom In The World

Most people are comfortable where they are hashkafically. "If this is what I was taught in Yeshiva/Seminary - this is what I believe. Don't confuse me with the facts..."

Rav Kook in the Ayn Ayah [translated by R' Chanan Morrison]-

“Rabbi Elazar said in the name of Rabbi Haninah: Torah scholars increase peace in the world. As it says, “All of Your children are students of God; great is the peace of Your children” (Isaiah 54:13). Read this not as “banayich” — ‘Your children’ — but rather “bonayich” — ‘Your builders’.” (Berachot 64a)

Considering the vast number of disagreements and differences of opinion among Torah scholars, Rabbi Haninah’s statement seems, well, counter intuitive. Do scholars really increase peace in the world? And why did Rabbi Haninah insist that they are ‘builders’? What does this tell us about scholars and peace?

People mistakenly believe that peace in the world means that everyone will share common viewpoints and think the same way. So when they see scholars disagreeing about an issue, this appears to be the exact opposite of peace.

True peace, however, comes precisely through the proliferation of divergent views. When all of the various angles and sides of an issue are exposed, and we are able to clarify how each one has its place — that is true peace. The Hebrew word ‘Shalom’ means both ‘peace’ and ‘completeness.’ We will only attain complete knowledge when we are able to accommodate all views — even those that appear contradictory – as partial perceptions of the whole truth. Like an interlocking puzzle, together they present a complete picture.

For this reason, Rabbi Haninah emphasized that scholars are like builders. A building is erected from all sides, using a variety of materials and skills. So too, the whole truth is constructed from diverse views, opinions and methods of analysis.

Meaning - that a person must open his/her mind to different approaches. Remember - the Ribbono Shel Olam has a much broader perspective than us limited finite beings. The more we learn and listen, the closer we come to what is Real.

This is a big topic and I often lament the inadequacy of a blog to properly convey what I want to say. [I also want to engage in formal education, but alas, Hashem (by way of the people with whom he has entrusted His funds) has decreed that this not happen in the meantime. We wait patiently for the BIG BREAK and financial means to make it.] Nevertheless, I trust the intelligence of my readers to reach the correct conclusions.

The most basic - זיל גמור, go and study.