Praying For Peace

[Mary Carol]

History teaches us about wars.

What have we learned?

We have learned that war is hell.

There are no winners.

Yet we learn nothing of peace.

War is fought for what is "right."

Who decides that?

The enemies are the terrorists.

They, not we, are most cruel, vengeful and aggressive.

They are wrong, we are right.

Both sides argue they will fight for their country, their beliefs, their values and honor.

Both sides justify their cruelties of war as necessary and blame the horrors committed on one another.

Consider this: The person who fights the war is not the one who started the war.

A man who carries a weapon and enters a man's home or country does not look like a peacemaker.

Both sides vow God is on their side.

God does not take sides in a war.

God does not make war. Man makes war.

God gives us free will. We make choices.

I empathize with the anguish felt by those who are separated from their loved ones. I pray for their safe return.

I love my country, and I pray for peace.

~Florence Zielinski

[History]

Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it.


Source: The Tanakh, Micah 4:2-5

[History]

Pursuit of Peace
source: http://www.aish.com/torahportion/shragasweekly/Pursuit_of_Peace.asp
Korach (Numbers 16-18)
Pursuit of Peace

A Jewish man is shipwrecked on a desert island. After 10 years he's finally rescued by a passing ship. When the rescuers embark on the island, they are surprised to find the man has built himself an entire civilization: golf course, restaurant, and two synagogues.

"But since you're here all alone on the island," they asked, "why do you have TWO synagogues?"

"Because," replied the man, pointing to the buildings, "that's the one I go to, and that's the one I don't!"

KORACH - WHAT'S SO BAD?

In this week's Parsha, a terrible dispute erupts amongst the Jewish people. A man named Korach accuses Moses of corruption. Korach then recruits 250 men and stages a full-fledged rebellion. In the end, the earth opens up and swallows Korach and his cohorts alive.

Why such a terrible punishment? Judaism regards quarrelling as one of the gravest sins. Why? Because divisiveness contradicts the essential unity of God. A flower has perfect form and symmetry, the ecosystem functions harmoniously, the colors of a sunset blend perfectly. Quarreling -- with its tension, allegations and incriminations -- undermines the harmony of creation. (Midrash Bamidbar Rabba 11:7)

In Hebrew, the word for peace, shalom, is derived from the root shalem, which means whole or complete. Peace is not merely the absence of war. Peace is a cooperative, symbiotic relationship, where both parties care for each other, assist each other, and ultimately complete each other.

HOW TO AVOID A QUARREL

We've all been faced with confrontation. It may be a business dispute, or simply jockeying for position at a red light.

So what should we do? The surest way to immediately defuse any conflict is to refuse to participate. Remember: It takes two to argue.

In our Parsha, Moses asks to meet with the provocateurs Datan and Aviram. Moses eagerly pursues peace even though it means the risk of personal humiliation (see Numbers 16:8,12).

The Talmud (Avot 1:12) describes Aaron as the master of pursuing peace. If Aaron saw two people arguing, he would tell each of them that the other admitted his mistake and wants to make up. That way, each party saves face, allowing the dispute to end. How much family dysfunction could be spared with this advice!

A WELL-INTENTIONED ARGUMENT

The topic of "peace" is a popular one these days. We hear everyone talk about peace in the home, peace with the Arabs, peace in the inner city.

Peace is perhaps the most central theme in Judaism. The words of King David (Psalms 133:1), "How good and pleasant is it for brothers to sit peacefully together," are perhaps the most popular Hebrew song. The Amidah prayer, said three times daily, ends with the word "Shalom." The Grace After Meals ends with the word "Shalom." The Birkat Kohaim (Priestly Blessing) ends with the word "Shalom." The entire Talmud ends with the word "Shalom." As well, the Talmud declares, "Shalom" is one of the Names of God!

But if peace is such an essential Jewish value, then why are Jews always arguing?!

Quarreling should not be confused with well-intentioned controversy. Any student of the Talmud knows that the schools of Hillel and Shammai were always arguing. Yet their respect for one another grew because they knew the disputes were for the purpose of reaching a common understanding. In fact, the Talmud (Yevamot 14b) reports that the children of Hillel and Shammai intentionally married each other to show they were at peace.

The Talmud states: "Just as no two faces are exactly alike, likewise no two opinions are exactly alike." Rabbi Shlomo Eiger explains this in terms of peaceful human relations: The fact that other people have different facial features does not bother me in the slightest. In fact, I am actually glad this is so, because it preserves my uniqueness! So too, I should appreciate the unique perspective that others bring to my life.

The Talmud (Avot 5:20) describes a well-intentioned controversy as that between Hillel and Shammai. A poor-intentioned controversy is that of Korach and his followers, who tried to manipulate others for their own selfish power struggle.

HAMMERING OUT THE TRUTH

Judaism does not object to argument, if it is for the sake of truth. In fact, sincere disputants will ultimately feel love for one another. What's most striking about a Yeshiva is that the study partners are always yelling at each other! Yet there's no love lost.

The Talmud relates a story about the great scholar Rebbe Yochanan and his study partner Reish Lakish. The two learned together for many years, until one day Reish Lakish got sick and died. Rebbe Yochanan was totally distraught over the loss. His students tried to comfort him, saying, "Don't worry, Rebbe. We'll find you a new study partner -- the most brilliant man in town."

A few weeks later, Rebbe Yochanan was seen walking down the street, totally depressed. "Rebbe," his students asked. "What's the problem? We sent you a brilliant study partner. Why are you so sad?"

Rebbe Yochanan told them: "This man is indeed a scholar. In fact, he's so brilliant that he can come up with 24 ways to prove that what I'm saying is correct. But when I studied with Reish Lakish, he brought me 24 proofs that what I was saying was wrong. And that's what I miss! The goal of study is not to just have someone agree with me. I want him to criticize, question, and prove to me that I'm wrong. That's what Torah study's about."

ISRAEL TODAY

This week's Parsha states clearly: "Don't be like Korach" (Numbers 17:5) -- which the Talmud (Sanhedrin 110a) explains is the prohibition against quarreling.

Hatred, jealousy and infighting are unfortunately not new terms to our people. The Talmud (Yoma 9b) says that it was baseless hatred amongst Jews which brought about the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. The Temple has lain in ruins for 2,000 years.

Only through unconditional love will it be rebuilt.

Much has been said recently about internal disputes between Jews in Israel. Can we stop these disputes? Perhaps not. But we can live with these disputes providing we remember one essential rule: "Every person is worthy of profound respect, regardless of his beliefs and level of observance."

I may have differences and disagree with other Jews on various issues. I may have differences and disagree with my wife on various issues as well. But just as I would never consider distancing from my wife based on our disagreements, so too I would never consider distancing myself from other Jews based on our differences.

In Israel -- where the issue of Jewish unity is most critical -- much is being done to address the problem. Organizations like Gesher and Common Denominator run programs to bring together divergent groups -- Kibbutzniks with settlers, or secular with religious -- to help them discover that what unites us is ultimately greater than that which divides us.

How appropriate that the city of Jerusalem is actually a contraction of two words -- Yeru-Shalem -- "peace will be seen." May the Almighty bless us with the patience and sensitivity to avoid destructive arguments and to accord proper respect all.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Shraga Simmons

[History]

G-d commanded Aaron and his descendants, the cohanim, to bless the people with three special blessings:

"Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying: This is how you must bless the Israelites. Say to them:

* May God bless you and keep watch over you.
* May God make His presence enlighten you, and grant you grace.
* May God lift His face toward you, and grant you peace."
--Bamidbar (Numbers) 6:23-26

What does it mean that G-d should "lift His face toward you"? What connection does this blessing have with the previous blessing?

The second blessing refers to enlightenment and spiritual elevation. This blessing, however, brings with it additional responsibilities. As one gains knowledge and enlightenment, the expectations for ethical living, purity of thought, and refinement of character are greater.

If we consider the consequential moral demands, we may become apprehensive and even discouraged. In order to combat this psychological phenomenon, the cohanim bestow a third blessing, of God "lifting His face".

To 'lift one's face' is a Hebrew idiom, meaning to show favor or leniency. The Torah commands a judge, for example, not to 'lift his face' towards one of the litigants. The judge must be careful to avoid even the impression that he favors one side of the case, even though he is in reality impartial. The other litigant may feel that the case is already lost, and lose heart.

The cohanim bless us that, despite the ethical expectations that come with spiritual enlightenment, we should not lose heart. G-d will be lenient, taking into account the material reality in which we live.

Still, we might feel embarrassed or uncomfortable about this divine leniency. Therefore the final blessing ends with the gift of peace - peace of mind. "And grant you peace."

[Olat Ri'ah vol. I, p.62]
Rabbi Kook, forgotten source

Respectfully,
History

[Tahiyah]

O Allah! O our Master! You are eternal life and everlasting peace by Your essence and attributes. The everlasting peace is from You and it returns to You. O our Sustainer! Grant us the life of true peace and usher us into the abode of peace. O Glorious and Bounteous One! You are blessed and sublime.

Allahumma ya mowlana antas-salaam, wa minkas-salaam, wa ilaika yarjaus-salaam, haiyyina rabbana bis-salaam, wa adkhilna daras-salaam, tabarakta rabbana wa-ta'laita, ya zal jalali wal ikram

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In the name of Allah, the beneficent, the merciful.
Praise be to the Lord of the Universe who has created us and made us into tribes and nations, that we may know each other, not that we may despise each other.

If the enemy incline towards peace, do thou also incline towards peace, and trust in God, for the Lord is the one that heareth and knoweth all things. And the servants of God, Most Gracious are those who walk on the Earth in humility, and when we address them, we say "Peace."

[-Umm_Abdullah-]

We have learned that war is hell.


~Florence Zielinski
SubhanAllaah i can never understand how people can compare things in this dunya to paradise and the hellfire.

[-Umm_Abdullah-]

God does not take sides in a war.


~Florence Zielinski
SubhanAllaah - You can tell a kafir wrote this poem!

[Mary Carol]

Peace is very good because you cannot squabble.

Julia Wipf, Grade 1