|
|
|
 |
  |
  
|  |
     |
||
 |
     |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
        
Become a monthly star of SocialAction.com
|
|
The Truth About PeaceBy RABBI DAVID ROSENN Parashat Noah (Genesis 6:9-11:32) And all of your children will be taught by God; and great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13. In this week's haftarah, or prophetic reading, the prophet Isaiah conveys God's promise that a short period of anger between God and the people will be followed by an everlasting reconciliation. God says that the reconciliation is ‘“like the waters of Noah to me. Just as I swore that the waters of Noah would never again flood the earth, so I swear that I will not be angry with you or chastise you." Isaiah 54:9. One of the things that will characterize this period of reconciliation is that God will personally instruct the people (“All of your children will be taught by God.” And the result of this teaching is “great peace.” The rabbis interpret this passage in a seemingly strange way: Rabbi Elazar said in the name of Rabbi Haninah: Disciples of the Sages increase peace in the world, as it is written: And all of your children (banayikh) will be taught by God; and great shall be the peace of your children (banayikh). Do not read the second appearance of the word banayikh as “children,” but rather as bonayikh — those who possess wisdom and understanding. Berakhot 64a. Isaiah seems to be saying that every person will be instructed by God, but the rabbis read the verse to proclaim that the ultimate effect of rabbinic teaching is to increase peace in the world. Why do you think the rabbis read against the grain in this way? Does the point of this midrash — that Torah wisdom is essentially a peacemaking skill — justify veering from the simple meaning of the text? You may recently have heard some Muslims claim that the term Islam is derived from the Arabic word for peace (salaam). As a matter of linguistic fact, that is incorrect. Islam is derived from the Arabic word for submission (to God's will). We have seen the rabbis blur the grammar of a verse from Isaiah in order to make a point about peace; can we see the desire to link Islam and Salaam/Shalom in the same way? Neither creative reading is factually correct, but might they speak to a truth beyond the facts? © AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps 
|
|
ARTICLE TOOLS
Get free towing service. Crystal chandeliers by moder, nulco, and other name brands. Trendy maternity swimwear from name brand designers. Comfortable, quality built reception and Guest Chairs for every office, free shipping included. Designer dog beds and dog accessories including collars, leashes, food bowls, dog clothing, dog houses, and more!
SocialAction.com is made possible through funding provided by the Picower Foundation. Seed money was provided in part by grants from Edith and Henry Everett, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the Dorot Foundation. |
|
|
|
|
