Musing – Why Do We Argue?

Hebraic Musing – Why Do We Argue?

The Jews are known for arguing; they always have an alternative opinion.  I’ve said this before – I want to meet a Rabbi with only one hand; so he won’t say “on the other hand.”  The penchant for arguing is obvious in a Yeshiva (school for study of Torah and Talmud) scene in the movie “Yentl.”  The scene was a chaotic cacophony in a room full of students seated in pairs across the table from each other and each student arguing loudly and vehemently with his partner.  It was chaotic!  Israeli politics are no different. 

Case in point:  In the 1980s, an Israeli politician appeared on the Morton Downey, Jr. Show, a controversial talk show that was known for heated, even acrimonious debates between the show’s guests. When this politician made his appearance, everyone was screaming at him – the guests, the audience, everyone. As they called him names, hurled threats and voiced their hatred of Israel, the Israeli sat completely calm.
When Morton asked him how he could sit so calmly, the politician replied: “I’m used to this. This is what our Knesset (the Israeli parliament) discussions are like every day!”

Whether you go into the Knesset or into a yeshiva you will likely find Jews screaming at each other in disagreement. Yet, in this week’s Torah portion we learned about how Korah disagreed with Moses and attempted to usurp the authority and truths that God Almighty had given Moshe and Aaron.  Korah’s disagreement was actually rebellion against YHWH Himself; therefor he brought the punishment upon himself.  “Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and certain Reubenites … — became insolent   and rose up against Moses.” Numbers 16:1-2  NIV   Later in verse 32 “ and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, with their households and all Korah's men and all their possessions.”

So, is there a right way and a wrong way to argue or disagree?

The Talmud tells about a scholar whose study partner Reish died, so he was assigned a new study partner.  His new partner was known to be the most brilliant man in town!  But the scholar was sad.  When asked why so sad, he replied “This man is indeed a scholar. In fact, he’s so brilliant that he can come up with 24 ways to prove that what I’m saying is correct.   But when I studied with Reish, he brought me 24 proofs that what I was saying was wrong.  That's what I miss!  The goal of study is not to just have someone agree with me.  I want someone to criticize, question, and prove to me that I’m wrong.  That's what uncovering the truth is about!”   

KEY POINT -- Judaism differentiates between acrimonious arguments and “arguments for the sake of heaven.”  The first is destructive, the other constructive.  Jews are allowed to disagree with each other – and they are even encouraged to question one another – when the goal of both parties is to uncover the truth.   True intellectual integrity requires solicitation of opposing points of view.  However, when it comes to arguments with ulterior motives – such as self-aggrandizement or the desire to put someone else down – those are the types of disputes we all need to avoid.

So next time you find yourself in a heated debate, or even better, next time you find yourself about to enter one, ask yourself if your argument is for the right reason.  If it isn’t, then walk away peacefully.  If it is to search out the truth, then go right ahead and argue!

Points to ponder

Why am I always so sure I am right?

Why do we sometimes lose friends after arguing?

 “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  John 8:32

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                   July 11, 2017

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”      www.InsightsByYosef.com

Note – Inspired by and excerpted from IFCJ email June 21, 2017 -- “Arguments for Heaven’s Sake”
         - The Torah portion for that week was “Korach” from Numbers 16:1–18:32.