Some people think that universal peace will only come when everyone shares the same opinions and viewpoints. They make the mistake of confusing homogeneous with harmonious. Therefore, when they see the diverse range of opinions and decisions produced by the research of Torah scholars, it appears to them that these scholars are increasing dissent and discord.
Yet King David wrote, "Great is the peace of those who love Your Torah." (Psalms 119:165) And as Rabbi Chanina expounded, "Torah scholars increase peace in the world; as it says, 'All Your children are students of God, great is the peace of Your children.' Instead of 'children' (banayich), let it read 'builders' (bonayich)" (Brachot 64)
Rabbi Kook noted that both of these sources do not refer to a single, large peace ("shalom gadol"), but rather to ?increasing peace? ("rav shalom" and "marbim shalom"). True peace comes to the world as a multitude of peace; i.e., when all the different aspects are revealed, and we succeed in clarifying that each side has its appropriate time and place.
Those matters that seem to be extraneous or contradictory, in fact contribute to complete understanding. True wisdom reveals that it is precisely by gathering together all of the details, seemingly divergent opinions, and different areas of Torah, that we are able to see the complete picture. When Torah scholars produce new insights or new interpretations, they are truly increasing the peace, by contributing to the totality of our understanding.
Light contains a multitude of hues. In order to acquire a complete understanding, we need to capture all of the various aspects and views: "Both opinions are the words of the Living God." We must not forgo a single talent or viewpoint; but rather expand our understanding of each one, and ascertain its appropriate place. And if we find a contradiction - this is how 'wisdom builds its home'! We must examine and discover the essence of the matter, and then everything will fit into place. A wealth of opinions enriches wisdom and increases knowledge.
"Instead of 'children', let it read 'builders'." Torah scholars are builders. Just as a building is constructed from many different parts, so, too, the true light of the world is built from different opinions and diverse methods.
[Based on Ein Aya II: 397-8 and Olat Riyyah I: 330-1]
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Chanan Morrison, of Mitzpeh Yericho, runs a website (RavKook.n3.net) dedicated to presenting the Torah commentary of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook, first Chief Rabbi of Eretz Yisrael, to the English-speaking community.
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Spend Passover with Arutz Sheva at a resort in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv or Kfar Pines (near Hadera). Click here for info.
Yet King David wrote, "Great is the peace of those who love Your Torah." (Psalms 119:165) And as Rabbi Chanina expounded, "Torah scholars increase peace in the world; as it says, 'All Your children are students of God, great is the peace of Your children.' Instead of 'children' (banayich), let it read 'builders' (bonayich)" (Brachot 64)
Rabbi Kook noted that both of these sources do not refer to a single, large peace ("shalom gadol"), but rather to ?increasing peace? ("rav shalom" and "marbim shalom"). True peace comes to the world as a multitude of peace; i.e., when all the different aspects are revealed, and we succeed in clarifying that each side has its appropriate time and place.
Those matters that seem to be extraneous or contradictory, in fact contribute to complete understanding. True wisdom reveals that it is precisely by gathering together all of the details, seemingly divergent opinions, and different areas of Torah, that we are able to see the complete picture. When Torah scholars produce new insights or new interpretations, they are truly increasing the peace, by contributing to the totality of our understanding.
Light contains a multitude of hues. In order to acquire a complete understanding, we need to capture all of the various aspects and views: "Both opinions are the words of the Living God." We must not forgo a single talent or viewpoint; but rather expand our understanding of each one, and ascertain its appropriate place. And if we find a contradiction - this is how 'wisdom builds its home'! We must examine and discover the essence of the matter, and then everything will fit into place. A wealth of opinions enriches wisdom and increases knowledge.
"Instead of 'children', let it read 'builders'." Torah scholars are builders. Just as a building is constructed from many different parts, so, too, the true light of the world is built from different opinions and diverse methods.
[Based on Ein Aya II: 397-8 and Olat Riyyah I: 330-1]
--------------------------------------------------------
Chanan Morrison, of Mitzpeh Yericho, runs a website (RavKook.n3.net) dedicated to presenting the Torah commentary of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaCohen Kook, first Chief Rabbi of Eretz Yisrael, to the English-speaking community.
************
Spend Passover with Arutz Sheva at a resort in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv or Kfar Pines (near Hadera). Click here for info.
