It’s hard to miss the rancor and divisiveness that seems to be de rigueur for the current state of the US election cycle. The daily dose of mudslinging by those that are engaged in vying for the top spot as candidate for president during this primary season, is likely to get worse as we head into the real showdown , come late summer and early fall.
In keeping with the time honored stance of religious organizations not involving themselves with political matters (and I’m sure the IRS would be much happier if we maintained our impartiality), I will not comment one way or another as to which candidate or political party to vote for.
I could not help noticing, however, in the course of my studies this week, a fascinating verse in this week’s Torah portion. In describing the events that led to the Jewish people receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai, the Torah describes their arrival at Mount Sinai and their encampment there, and says that it included a complete unity – of mind and heart – of all the people of Israel!
Now, I certainly don’t have to remind you of the popular adage that where you have two Jews you will have three opinions; we know, too, that the Jewish people that departed from Egypt was not a homogeneous group of people; rather it included a mixed multitude -- an amalgam of nations, and it represented a cross section of Jews of all shapes, sizes, colors, political opinions, religious observance and beliefs. It belies the imagination; nay, it would almost seem an improbability or certainly a miracle of true biblical proportions to behold!
Ah, but they were at Mount Sinai to receive the Torah. Torah doesn’t seek to pigeonhole everyone into one mold; rather Torah teaches us that true unity is where there is diversity and difference of opinion – and yet, where our focus is on the common good, maintaining our uniqueness, of course, but nonetheless uniting as one people with one heart.
So who should one vote for? The most trusted politician of course! Then again, just what is the definition of an oxymoron?