O PINION
KVETCH ’N’ KVELL
So, What Do We Do Now?
BY RABBI WENDY PEIN
AFTER THIS LATEST electoral
cycle, there is much concern that
the political process has resulted
in signifi cant antagonism and
even hatred being expressed
between opposing sides.

Jewish wisdom has much to
say on this topic and provides
clear guidance in such circum-
stances that we would do well to
consider. In a straight-forward
directive, the Torah commands
us, “You shall not hate your
kinsfolk in your heart” (Lev.

19:17). Lest we think that the
commandment refers to only
specifi c acts of hate, our sages
have made sure to elaborate
that this verse applies both to
observable actions of hate, and
our internal emotions.

The sages taught that,
“in your heart,” (Lev. 19:17)
meant that we should eradi-
cate feelings of hatred for our
brother, our neighbor, our
friend as such feelings may lead
to hateful actions (B. Talmud
Arakhin 16b). Instead, we are
taught to “love your neighbor
as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18).

Recent studies show that
the number of households
who would be upset if their
child chose a partner from a
diff erent political party has
risen in recent years. Th is is an
opportune time to recall the
ancient disagreements between
the House of Hillel and the
House of Shammai, two Jewish
Weikers Continued from Page 16
we ate, drank tea, listened to
her stories and learned lessons
from her storied life. It was
a moment I will not forget,
and one that crystallized to me
just how important the work
of supporting and defending
the Jewish state is through my
involvement with Israel Bonds.

Now, Bonds is turning 70.

On the organization’s 70th
anniversary — which dates
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM schools of thought who oft en
held fi ercely opposing views on
Jewish legal matters.

Th e Talmud teaches us
that no matter how factious
their disagreements, the two
Houses did not refrain from
their children marrying from
among each other’s commu-
nities (B. Talmud Yebamot
14a-b). Instead, they continued
to practice love and aff ection
for one another.

near his brother.” (Genesis 33: 1
-3). Jacob found the strength and
courage to reconcile with Esau
because he had removed any
hatred of Esau from his heart.

For the Torah states that
despite their former animosity,
Jacob recognizes Esau as “his
brother.” When Jacob does so,
the brothers embrace and recon-
cile. What an instructive model
for us as we seek to strengthen
our relationships with those
Our sages teach us that “hatred of others
shortens a person’s life.” (Avot 2:11) and that
such hatred is demonstrated by loving one
group and hating another (Avot d’Rabbi Natan 16).

Whereas stories in the Torah
demonstrate that simmering
hatred leads to destructive
behavior, such as Cain rising
up against Abel, Esau’s fury
at Jacob, and Korah’s jealousy
of Moses, it also provides an
example of two brothers who
overcome their enmity for
each other and reconcile. Aft er
Jacob steals Esau’s birthright,
the two brothers live physically
and emotionally separate lives
for over 14 years.

Eventually, Jacob decides
to return to Canaan with his
household. When Jacob saw
Esau coming and his army
approaching, he did not reject
him and turn his back, but
instead “He ... bowed low to the
ground seven times until he was
whom we have disagreed during
this election time.

Our sages teach us that
“hatred of others shortens a
person’s life.” (Avot 2:11) and
that such hatred is demonstrated
by loving one group and hating
another (Avot d’Rabbi Natan
16). Instead, we are commanded
to love both groups, all of
humanity. Th is begins by recog-
nizing one another as kin,
friends and neighbors, irrespec-
tive of our positions on issues or
how we voted. ●
back to its original founding
conference in September 1950
— it has succeeded in helping to
build up the Jewish state to the
technological and economic
juggernaut that it is today, but
the work is far from fi nished.

When I look at young people
today, who are confronting a
number of daunting challenges
— not least of which is the
pandemic ravaging both the
U.S. and Israel — I see in them
the same potential and capacity
to make the change that Sam
Rothberg saw in me all those
years ago. Young people do not
know a world without the state
of Israel, and it is up to all of us
to continue to strengthen and
support Israel, and refl ect on
how important our continued
support and involvement is for
future generations. ●
Rabbi Wendy Pein is the director of
Congregational learning at Temple
Israel of Northern Westchester
in Croton-on-the Hudson, New
York. This piece fi rst appeared at
eJewishPhilanthropy.com. Susan Weikers is a member of
Development Corporation for
Israel/Israel Bonds’ National
Campaign Advisory Council
and treasurer of Association
for Development of Israel, Inc.

International board of directors.

JEWISH EXPONENT
Anti-Semitism an Outdated Term
I SUSPECT THAT these fi ndings (“AJC Study Shows Lack of
Awareness of Anti-Semitism by Non-Jews,” Nov. 5) are because
the word is antique and meaningless to many people. Th ey are
now more attuned to “racist” and “phobia.”
If the words were “Racist Judaiphobia” or just “Judaiphobia,”
it might make more sense to them. It is a small change, but may
be worth a try.

Dave Olim | Ambler
Iran Deal Mischaracterized
How unfortunate that the chair of Democratic Jewish Outreach
Pennsylvania in her op-ed (Joe Biden: For Decency, For
Democracy, For America,” Oct. 29) fails to demonstrate an
understanding of the Iran nuclear deal of 2015. She notes
that, “Biden has stated unequivocally that Iran should never
be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons ... Trump pulled out of
the nuclear deal, and now Iran is closer to achieving nuclear
weapons capability.”
What is not mentioned is that the Iran nuclear deal of the
Obama-Biden administration did not ensure that Iran would never
be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons. By the terms of the deal
itself, Iran would be limited to using pathways to a nuclear weapon
for only 10-15 years from the date of the agreement in 2015. Five
years have already passed since the start of the nuclear deal.

Our president correctly understood that the Iran nuclear deal
would allow the development of nuclear weapons by Iran in a
very short time in the life of nations and, therefore, correctly
ended this very “bad deal.”
Let us hope that an honest recital of the facts will enable us all
to decrease the polarization in our country. ●
David Romanoff | Penn Valley
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letters@jewishexponent.com NOVEMBER 12, 2020
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