As many of you know, I do not (intentionally) bring politics to the bimah. I don’t make my political beliefs known because it is important to me to be the clergy for the whole congregation, not just those who share my political views.  I want you to be able to feel comfortable to come to me, and, I hope, trust me regardless of your politics. You’re free to guess at mine, but I will neither confirm or deny.

Jewish values, on the other hand, are important to bring to the bimah. Sometimes it may seem like I am taking one political side or the other, but what I’m really doing is bringing my interpretation of a Jewish value. 

I have seen different groups who seem opposed to each other demonize each other. Everything “they” do is evil, deliberate, cruel, idiotic,  and wrong. My response to that is always, “Guess what? The ‘other side’ feels the same way about you.” 

Insisting we are right, bringing what we consider to be “facts” the “other side” couldn’t possibly disagree with (PS they can and do), has never brought people together in dialogue. In terms of furthering a relationship, who is “right” doesn't matter. In order to hear each other, what matters is whether all feel respected and taken seriously, not rejected out of hand or mocked. 

There is a logical fallacy called the Fundamental Attribution Error (FAE). (You may have seen what I wrote about it in the JH-V in September). The FAE happens when we assume a motive based on the perceived attributes of the actor instead of trying to look objectively at a situation.

Let’s say there are two political parties, Party A and Party B. There have been instances in my lifetime when Party A has opposed the plan of Party B just because it comes out of Party B. I know this because in each case, before Party B proposed the action, Party A had suggested it or employed it in earlier iterations of government. Because it’s now the idea of Party B, Party A not only rejects it, but calls it stupid, dangerous, wrong, “unAmerican” or whatever other epithet they can throw out. President So-and-so may have a great idea that the “other side” might actually believe in if it were suggested by their own party. There is no president, no politician who is always right or always wrong. 

In order to bridge the gulf in our unfortunately divided country and world, we all need to show respect to each other, to stop casting each other as one-dimensional foes, and to keep an open mind about whether we like or oppose an idea on its merit alone, not where it came from.

There is no argument that it’s easy to stay in that mindset. These biases are so entrenched that it feels like reaching out would be like trying to jump over a ravine on a tricycle. Not even Evel Knievel tried that. (Pardon me while I date myself.)

I’m also not advocating hanging around with and accepting people who hate you, want to hurt you, or kill you. 

There’s a story in the talmud called the Oven of Akhnai, about rabbis 2,000 years ago having a disagreement over a point of Jewish law.

Here’s a creative retelling to bring it more into our time.

A group of friends are having a discussion about food.  Sarah says that how and what we eat is very important. The rest disagree. Sarah tries argument after argument but the others stay by their opinion. 

Sarah challenges them, saying, “If I’m right, let this apple tree prove it!” The tree leaps from the ground and moves far away. 

The others say, “We don’t make decisions based on the opinion of a tree.”

Sarah presses on, “If I’m right, let this stream prove it!” The stream begins to flow backwards, but the others say, “The behavior of a stream is not proof.”

Finally, exhausted, Sarah cries, “If I’m right, let Heaven prove it!”

From Heaven, a voice calls out saying, “Why are you differing with Sarah? She is correct everywhere she expresses an opinion.”

But still the others are not swayed. They argue that within their relationship, it is more important to come to a respectful decision together than to try to bring some sort of absolute proof of the rightness of one position or another. 

One person’s “absolute truth” will not necessarily be another’s.  

Here is something I *will* say about politics. Jewish law holds that dina d’malchuta dina -- The law of the land is the law. We are obligated to participate in the political process and public discourse. I believe that as Jews, we have an obligation to vote. Voting is a mitzvah! A sacred obligation! Everyone has a right to have their voice heard. No matter what their beliefs. And our country needs everyone’s diverse voices.

Election Day is around the corner. Many will be closely watching the returns hoping that the party they prefer will win. No matter what happens, one “side” or the other is going to be disappointed to say the least and more likely devastated. No matter the outcome, let us remain open minded and civil with each other. There is no way to bridge an ideology gap with someone else if each of you assumes (and makes your assumption clear) that the other is stupid, naive, or evil.  We can disagree, but we are all still a part of Klal Yisrael--the whole community of Israel--and we Jews have to stick together,