It's tough to stand up for what you believe in. Sure, we talk about it with our kids and we teach it in our schools, but how many of us have ever truly had to stand up for something we knew to be right, even
when it was unpopular, or contrary to the majority opinion? It's a hard thing to do, which is why it's important to recognize and praise it when it happens, so that we can all draw strength from it and be inspired by it in our own lives. We have such a story in this week's Torah portion, but perhaps more importantly, we also have a second example going on in our community right now.
In our parashah, Moses sends 12 spies into the Land of Canaan to help the Israelites prepare to conquer it. The spies return, and ten of the twelve give a thoroughly negative report. They insist the land cannot be conquered - that the inhabitants are like giants, and we looked like grasshoppers to them - and the Israelites, based on the report of the ten spies, turn on Moses and Aaron like a frenzied lynch
mob. But the last two spies, Joshua and Caleb, refuse to follow suit. They insist the land can be conquered, they plead with the people to have faith in God, and they will not be silenced. Even as the scene gets out of hand, and Moses and Aaron fall on their faces terrified of the descending horde, Joshua and Caleb stand up for what they believe. Luckily for us all, God steps in and quiets the rebel rousers, and the crisis is averted. What's interesting about this story, however, is that the Israelites are punished as a result: They are forced to wander the desert for 40 years, so that everyone who participated in this rebellion will die out before the people enter the Holy Land. The only two people from this story who make it into Israel? Joshua and Caleb. THAT is the power of standing up for what you believe in, even (and especially) in the face of adversity.
Earlier this month, the Law Committee of the Conservative Movement made headlines, when it passed a series of guidelines and templates for how to perform a marriage ceremony for a gay or lesbian couple. For me, it was truly a moment of feeling great pride in being a Conservative Jew. Our movement hasn't always been ready to step out on a limb or take a stand on controversial issues.
At best, we say both 'yes' and 'no,' hoping no one on either side will get upset; even though usually it leaves EVERYONE upset! This, however, was a Joshua-and-Caleb style decision that opens the door to much greater inclusion, warmth, community, and togetherness. And not just for gay and lesbian couples, but for everyone in our communities! We all have friends, family members, neighbors, and loved ones who are gay; this affects us all. I look forward to some day (soon) performing such a wedding myself, now that the Law Committee has given me the language and the tools to open up our congregational home to more people who want to be Jewish, who love being Jewish, and who will make rich and lasting contributions to the Jewish community.
Does everyone agree with this position? No, certainly not (or at least not yet...). But that's precisely the point, isn't it? I cannot wait for everyone to agree with me before stating my opinion; that wouldn't
be standing up for my beliefs! There's no time to wait. There's too much hate and segregation and violence and separation in this world, we need to be active agents for change, doing everything we can to create more inclusion and communication. And who knows? Perhaps if Caleb and Joshua hadn't spoken up when they did, we would never have left the desert wasteland, and would never have entered the Promised Land. Their courage led us to a new era for our people, and to a better future. It's time to take another step in that direction.
Photos in this blog post:
1. CC image courtesy of Sustainable sanitation on Flickr
1. CC image courtesy of Sustainable sanitation on Flickr
2. CC image courtesy of vonderauvisuals on Flickr.
4. CC image courtesy of bjornmeansbear on Flickr
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