In this week’s portion, God gives us the priestly benediction, instructing Aaron to bestow it upon the people. This is perhaps our most powerful blessing, used today at almost every lifecycle occasion to bless an individual and, traditionally, every Shabbat to bless the congregation. It is a three-fold blessing ending with the expression of the essential Jewish hope, V’yaseim l’cha shalom, May God grant you peace.
The pursuit of peace is so compelling that Jews pray for it many times a day. We even greet each other and take leave of each other with a wish for it. The Midrash tells us that even if Israel gave itself over to worshipping idols, if they lived in peace with each other, they would be spared punishment.
This Midrash is puzzling. Can the pursuit of peace really take precedence over Judaism’s symbol of the ultimate betrayal of God? Beyond that theological question, are there other fundamental Jewish imperatives that might set aside supremacy of peace? What about seeking justice, or not standing idly by while another is oppressed? What about self-defense, or rebuking another person who is committing a transgression? In our everyday lives, do we overlook the wrongs we see committed around us in the interest of preserving peace? Or do we speak out and risk disturbing that peace, which we also understand Judaism to command?
What better way to answer the questions raised by one Midrash, than by quoting another? Our congregation’s name comes from a verse in Pirkei Avot, the Ethics of Our Fathers, which calls on us to be like the students of Aaron, loving peace (Ohev Shalom) and pursuing peace (Rodef Shalom). The rabbis tell us: “Whenever Aaron walked along the road and met a wicked man, he would greet him warmly. On the following day, when that man was about to commit a transgression, he would say to himself: ‘Woe is me! After doing this, how can I lift my eyes and look Aaron in the face? I would be ashamed before him.’” In this way, Aaron’s pursuit of peace led others, by example, towards righteousness.
Like all the most powerful teachings, this response by the rabbis leaves questions unanswered. We know we cannot always choose the path of no conflict. But the Midrash challenges us that, even in our pursuit of justice, a peaceful message can do more than we realize. May we, as individuals and as a community, be blessed with peace. And may we use that blessing to bring good to the world.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Jeffrey Saxe
