Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family, 

This past Shabbat, we ushered in Rosh Chodesh Av. We are now observing a period of time known as the "nine days," which will culminate with the Fast of Tisha B'Av this coming Saturday night and Sunday. 

Our tradition describes many tragedies associated with Tisha B'Av as well as many theories and explanations. Perhaps the most well known calamity connected to Tisha B'Av is the destruction of both the First and Second Temples of Judaism. The most prevalent explanation for the cause of the Second Temple's destruction is "Sinat Chinam - baseless hatred between Jews." 

If we were to take a time machine back to that historical period, there were a number of factions among the Jewish people which included Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, Dead Sea sect, Zealots, and more. While the Romans may have physically destroyed the Temple and much of Jerusalem, the foundations of Jewish life were already crumbling because of Sinat Chinam. While one need not agree with the other based on principles of belief or practice, one must not ever hate a fellow Jew.

In our day, not only is the world at large polarized, but the Jewish people are polarized as well. We are divided on attitudes regarding:

•  Denominations -  Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist and Orthodox;
•   Ideologies - The authoritative nature of Torah, Halakha, a commanding God; 
•  Ethnic background - Ashkenazic, Sefardic, Ethiopian, Jews from Arab lands;
•   Sexual orientation - The LGBTQ communities;
• Political affiliations - Democrat vs Republican in the U.S., Liberal vs Conservative in Canada, Labor vs Likud in Israel, etc.

While one may choose to "agree to disagree" intellectually on how to best manage the challenges of contemporary Jewish life, one must always be respectful and welcoming.  Are not all Jews, let alone all people, created in the image and likeness of God?

I always prefer to adopt the teaching of Rabbi Abraham Isaach Kuk, the first Chief Rabbi of pre-State Israel in the early twentieth century. He often remarked that we need to replace "Sinat Chinam - baseless hate" with "Ahavat Chinam - baseless love."

May the acceptance of baseless love be the motto for all Jews regarding their relationships with their fellow Jews as we count the days toward Tisha B'Av.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Howard Morrison