By Yanki Tauber
 | When faced with a tragedy we mourn. But we also ask ourselves: what positive element lies buried within this negative experience? We cannot always see it. But we always look for it
10 Comments Posted
This article explores the feelings of those who are under siege, "the common situation of finding yourself part of a distinct group of people who are outnumbered or otherwise overwhelmed by a common adversary."
I think it's also worthwhile reflecting on our behavior when we are the ones who are in the majority or the more powerful faction. - i.e., how we treat those who are "outsiders," or those who disagree with our views. Sometimes the line between "good" and "evil" is not so clearly drawn.
I liked this quote: "Being under siege brings to light a truth that was always there but which we had hitherto been prevented from or have avoided seeing -- the truth that we are all one." Is there ever a way to bring unity between the besieger and besieged? Or must one side be completely vanquished?
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I love this article! What a powerful method it suggests! Unearth the truth on which the evil feeds and let it shine in its purity. Let's apply this method to the "baseless hatred between Jewish people", which is the evil of the Tevet 10. The animosity is negative, but the truth underneath it is diversity. We are all different. Our congregations are different. Our services are different. However, we all serve Hashem in our own way. Men only, men and women separately, men and women together, women leading services, speaking our prayers, singing our prayers, singing niggunim - whatever we do, we serve our Creator. Without any of our denominations the design of the world would not be complete. We all are the parts of the SHLEMUT - completeness - that makes SHALOM. May it be speedily in our days.
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Your sentiments are of course positive and heartwarming. But you're mixing apples and oranges. There are right ways and wrong ways of doing things. Love, brotherhood and unity are about accepting the other PERSON, not about accepting wrong ACTIONS
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So, you are saying that sometimes if you feel under siege, it's the right thing, because maybe your position is wrong? Obviously sometimes we are right and sometimes we are wrong on an issue, regardless of how many people around us agree or disagree, or how they choose to express their disagreement. But when you feel under siege - having your beliefs and views attacked by others - how do you get the objectivity to say "hey, maybe they have a point."
What I got from this article is that putting a person or group of people under a state of "siege," whether physical or psychological, isn't a very good method to make them reevaluate their position. It's more likely to make them more entrenched, to regroup, to unite with those who think like they do, without necessarily taking any steps to change. But by pursuing ways of peace, (while still making our views known in a firm manner) we allow people the space to reflect on their ideas and see if they can find common ground.
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You misunderstood my comments. I was not reacting to the point made in the article. I was addressing Alexandra's post about "we all serve Hashem in our own way. Men only, men and women separately, men and women together, women leading services, speaking our prayers, singing our prayers, singing niggunim - whatever we do, we serve our Creator." My point was not to confuse the ideal of "Jewish unity" with carte blanche acceptance of every person's ideas or actions. We are all one in essence, but there are still right ways and wrong ways of doing things. If we don't accept that (at least the principle of that, though we may quibbler over the details), we're in big trouble
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To Alexandra:
"Whatever we do, we serve our creator"?? Does our creator have any say in the matter of how she/he/it wishes to be served?
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There was always a variety of opinions among he rabbis concerning any matter. The argument went about the details of the service, as well as about the ways in which our Creator makes His will to be known. As the Rebbe points out, even if we personally agree with only one of their opinions, looking at all of them helps find a deeper meaning.
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The Rebbe has indeed said this regarding legitimate halachic opinions (rulings derived from Torah in accordance with the principles of the "Torah Shebaal Peh" handed down from Moses by teacher to disciple through the generations). I do not know of any legitimate halachic ruling that permits "men and women together" in a prayer service.
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Wow you really did a great job! Keep going and make the rebbe proud! Im sure hes so happy with all the outreach you guys are doing
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Could we apply this under seige mentallity to our "Land of Israel"? Some people feel that any peace regardless of what we have to give up is better than the constant threat of being attact (although appeasement never worked) while our teachings and our knowing the truth tell us Israel must remain strong and be a Jewish nation if not all Jewish at least we should be a secure nation with Justice for all certainly not divided. If we could maybe stick together and have a common goal of peace for all and ultimately become a world under G'd. Is this too much to ask for? Lets at least try. "think good and it will be good"
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