This week, more than 120 million Americans turned out to vote for the 45th president of the United States.
After a particularly divisive and contentious campaign, I was gratified to hear the unanimous call from the candidates, President Obama, and the media for unity, and that we need to work together to better our country. I only wish that this had been emphasized from the beginning of the campaigns. It's not easy to switch tracks from mudslinging to peaceful conversation. Though they say better late than never, wouldn't it have been nice if this message would have been promoted (and followed) some eighteen months ago?
As a Rabbi, I'm privileged to know many wonderful, smart, kind and generous individuals from both sides. We have much more in common than we tend to think. And for those areas where we don't see eye to eye? It's ok to disagree. It's the American way. It's the Jewish way. The greatest of sages, Shamai and Hillel, had diametrically opposed approaches to the Torah. They argued constantly, and yet remained the closest of friends. Disagree? Sure. Have a different opinion? We all do. But share it with love. And from time to time, give a listen. Connect with someone who has another point of view. Not to change them, but simply to hear and share.
In this age of social media, it's easy to get caught up in shouting our own opinions - in a way that we might never express ourselves in person. Sometimes, we need to put the phone away, close the laptop, and connect to each other on a real and meaningful level.
Let's take a lesson from our founding father (not George Washington), Abraham. In this week's Torah portion, he dangerously heads out save his nephew Lot from captivity. You can be sure that the two of them had very different worldviews, and yet, he was willing to risk his life for him. And he does it again in next week's Torah portion as he prays for the wicked citizens of Sodom to be saved.
The Talmud says that no two people have the same mind. Yet, we all share a common denominator as being created by G-d and thus share the same purpose; to make this world a better place to live in.
Let's take notice of what is engraved on our country's currency "E Pluribus Unum" - from many, One.
May G-d bless the UNITED states of America!
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Dovid Bush
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