I'm writing this with a heavy heart, as
warfare between Israel and the Hamas government of Gaza has broken
out yet again. I believe this is the fourth time since the Israel's
2005 disengagement from Gaza that hostilities have broken out.
Like many who are concerned about that
small piece of land that is home to two peoples, my social media
pages have seen a lot of extremely emotional posts about the
situation. On one hand are the pro-Israel voices, who essentially say
that the Gazans brought this on themselves by electing Hamas and
allowing them to shoot rockets into Israel. On the other hand are
pro-Palestinian voices, who see this situation as the outcome of 60
years of Israeli occupation and (what they see as) Israel's refusal
to negotiate in good faith toward a peaceful settlement. And there
are Jews in both camps.
I think this reflects a tension between
two strains within Judaism: tribalism – the communal imperative to
privilege Jewish peoplehood and self-defense, particularly defense of
Israel and its actions; and univeralism - the call, emanating for the
prophetic tradition, to live according to our best values, to treat
The Other as we would wish to be treated. For the tribalist, Israel's
actions are necessary self-defense, however unfortunate; for the
universalist, Israel's actions are at best reckless and at worst an
abrogation of its, and the Jewish people's, commitment to be a “light
unto the nations.”
The tribalist tends to be the one who
holds Jewish identity itself the closest, and who might have been
told, “Always keep your passport in order, in case you have to
leave suddenly,” who prioritizes Israel as the last refuge of an
ever-refugee people. The universalist lives in an America where Jews
are not only tolerated, but honored – respected by all, at the top
of every field. They can't imagine a circumstance in which they would
ever have to flee, and to them, Israel's role as potential haven is
theoretical at best.
This is an oversimplification, as both
tendencies appear in both countries, but we might even say that
tribalism is represented by Israel – a fortress mentality focused
on self-protection and self-preservation, and universalism is
represented by America – where Jews are, and want to be, one people
among many.
And for further oversimplification,
tribalists tend to be more religious, older, in-married and
affiliated with synagogue and Federation, while universalists tend to
be more secular, younger, intermarried (or the product of interfaith
homes) and unaffiliated. Although we certainly have many people in
our LJCC community who value their commitment to Jewish peoplehood,
we (I believe) tend to be more universalist - in our commitments, in
our beliefs, and in our actions.
I think we're starting to see the
tension between the two tendencies near the breaking point.
Tribalists can't understand why anybody would question Israel taking
whatever it believes are the necessary steps to defend its people,
and universalists can't understand how any country – or any
religion - could justify some of Israel's actions, particularly when
they result, as they so often do, in civilian casualties.
Worse, we may be entering a situation
where Israel's actions are serving as a deterrent to people being
involved in Judaism at all. If Israel represents Judaism, they say,
if what it does represents what Judaism means, then count me out.
I look at that with as much heartbreak
as I look at the violence in Israel/Palestine. At this point I feel
closer to the universalists of other religious traditions than I feel
to the tribalists of my own. I don't want to spend my time defending
Israel-right-or-wrong. I want to develop, and represent, and teach, a
Judaism that is universal in its commitments, that promotes peace,
reconciliation and diversity, a Judaism that is in keeping with what
I think are its deepest and best values. A Judaism that calls us to
our best selves.
And offer it to whomever wants it.
I hope that includes you.
