צְ ר וִֹי תֶא כּוֹבֵ שַׁה בּ וֹ ר ? ִג
occupation of over 3 million Palestinians in the West Bank was ethically indefensible . He joined a small group of Israelis who refused to serve in the IDF as a matter of conscience .
Both Sulaiman and Chen manifested a form of courage that is suggested by the Mishnah :
ֵא י ֶ ז ה וּ .
Who is a hero ? The one who can subdue his / her evil instincts .
( Pirke Avot 4:1 )
Chen and Sulaiman rejected the narratives of their respective people which portrayed the other side as “ the enemy ”. They are now part of a small but important constituency of Palestinians and Jews who are committed to the path of mutual respect and a shared society .
May this Pesach inspire many others to become “ wise children ”, who can see beyond the narratives that condemn us to perpetual conflict and violence . Only that way , can we all both envision and then , bring to fruition , the redemption and liberty for all peoples , which is the intent of this festival .
Rabbi Sid Schwarz is the Founding Rabbi of Adat Shalom Reconstructionist Cong ., ( Bethesda , MD ), Director of The Clergy Leadership Incubator ( CLI ), and author of Judaism and Justice : The Jewish Passion to Repair the World .
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