Qorah: Clarity in arguments in defense of Human Rights
This week’s portion describes the rebellion or rebellions in the desert against Moses. We are taught in Pirke Avot that the conflict initiated by Korakh and his followers is an example of an argument that is not for the “Sake of Heaven.” The debates between Hillel and Shamai are given as an example of an argument that is For the Sake of Heaven. Sometimes the dissenting views that we raise are discounted by those who disagree as arguments “Not for the Sake of Heaven.” In other cases, weighty disagreements are played down by saying that there is a legitimate difference of opinion, and that there is no moral superiority of one side over the other. Without a doubt, the complex reality we live in creates situations in which it only a fool or a fanatic can be so sure that they are right that they delegitimize the view of the other. Nevertheless, if we truly believe that the human being is created in the Image of God, the diminishment of God’s Image via the violation of the human rights of a fellow human being cannot be put off as “elu v’elu dvarim Elohim Khayim.” The Midrash says that Korakh was very clever in making his arguments so clever that Moses had difficulty in answering. Even as we maintain our pluralism, we must be very clear that arguments in defense of human rights violations cannot be an argument for the Sake of Heaven. May it be Your Will that we always defend Your Name and always do so in ways that are clear in the Name of Heaven.
Recent Articles by Rabbi Arik W. Ascherman
- Balaq: Human Rights and adhering to a democratic process - July 10th, 2008
- Shavuot: Recognize and do what is right - June 6th, 2008
- Behuqqotay: Reward and Punishment - May 19th, 2008
- Yom HaAtzmaut: What gives me the Strength to Celebrate - May 7th, 2008
- Arik Ascherman: Rabbi-activist for the rights of Israelis, Palestinians, and foreign workers in Israel - June 4th, 2007
- The work that we do is not fun: Tikkun Olam and Human Rights - May 4th, 2007
- Passover, The Omer and Human Rights - April 5th, 2007
- Purim: Acts of justice bring us greater honor than the clothes of kings - March 1st, 2007
- Teruma: Building a human tabernacle united through the inner sanctuary that dwells with each of us - February 23rd, 2007
- Fakhri El-Diab Arrested - February 15th, 2007
- Beshallah: Building a society in which all can sing with joy - February 2nd, 2007
- Darkness has struck again - December 11th, 2006
- Hayye Sara: Needs common to all humanity - November 17th, 2006
- Lekh-Lekha: Living up to the moral heritage that Avraham and Sarah have bequeathed us - November 4th, 2006
- Sukkoth: Symbolic versus authentic homelessness - October 5th, 2006
- Selichot Ceremony - September 29th, 2006
- Tisha Bav: Justice, Law and Righteousness - July 28th, 2006
- Shabbat Hazon: What we must do to improve our situation - July 28th, 2006
- Devarim: Act with tzedakah and mishpat in all that we do - July 28th, 2006
- Tisha BAv: Human Rights and Self Criticism - July 21st, 2006
- Mase: Making an enemy into a Friend - July 21st, 2006
- Mattot: Human Rights and Collateral Damage - July 21st, 2006
- Why I Will Demonstrate - June 29th, 2006
- RHR Wins Court Victory: High Court Orders Security Forces to Protect Palestinian Farmers - June 26th, 2006
- Qorah: Clarity in arguments in defense of Human Rights - June 23rd, 2006
- Nizzavim: For what are we willing to stand up, and how? - May 26th, 2006
- Shavuot: A world based on righteousness, justice, goodness, mercy and faithfulness. - May 26th, 2006
- Bemidbar: Reaching out to the ones we would normally turn away - May 26th, 2006
- Behar: A vision of a just and caring society - May 19th, 2006
- Behuqqotay: Respect the moral order - May 19th, 2006
- Rabbi Arik W. Ascherman - May 12th, 2006
- Emor: Unity and equality between Jews and non-Jews in front of the law - May 12th, 2006
- Shemini: Partners with God - April 21st, 2006
- Va'era: Hear each other’s narratives - January 26th, 2006
- Miqqez: It is not too late to renew and fulfill the promises of old - December 30th, 2005
- Vayyeze: The Image of God in all - December 8th, 2005
- Noah: Knowing how to protest and to effect change - November 4th, 2005
- Sukkoth: Peace, justice, involvement and caring for all people - October 10th, 2005
- Ki-Tavo: Responsiblity to fulfill our Human Rights obligations - September 23rd, 2005
- Ki-Teze: We must stand in the breach and make sure that nobody is left behind - September 14th, 2005
- Shofetim: Pursue justice through mitzvot of commission - September 8th, 2005
- Devarim: You shall not be partial in judgement - August 12th, 2005
- Shabbat Hazon: Misplaced Priorities in Society - August 12th, 2005
- Mas'e: Expulsion, Democracy and Civil Disobedience - August 4th, 2005
- Mattot: Find the formulas allowing all of us to have our basic Human Rights and needs met. - July 28th, 2005
- Balaq: We cannot negotiate for peace on the one hand and violate Human Rights on the other - July 14th, 2005
- Shemini: Quench this strange fire and return to the fire commanded by God - April 1st, 2005
- Preventing Home Demolitions - March 22nd, 2005
- Pequde: Maintaining our belief in the goodness of people. - March 11th, 2005
- There Is A Kippah In The Rubble - April 15th, 2003
Rabbis for Human Rights recommends that you read these articles in Bemidbar / Numbers
- Naso: Jewish spirituality and social context - June 1st, 2008
- Pinehas: Fanaticism and peace between man and his neighbor and between the nation and God. - July 13th, 2006
- Balaq: Deluding ourselves into thinking that all is well in our society - July 6th, 2006
- Huqqat: Act according to the Golden Mean - June 29th, 2006
- Qorah: Clarity in arguments in defense of Human Rights - June 23rd, 2006
- Bemidbar: Reaching out to the ones we would normally turn away - May 26th, 2006
- Mas'e: Expulsion, Democracy and Civil Disobedience - August 4th, 2005
- Mattot: Find the formulas allowing all of us to have our basic Human Rights and needs met. - July 28th, 2005
- Pinehas: Conflict of Human Rights values that are sometimes mutually exclusive - July 22nd, 2005
- Balaq: We cannot negotiate for peace on the one hand and violate Human Rights on the other - July 14th, 2005
- Huqqat: Thinking Before Speaking - July 7th, 2005
- Shelah: Eyes and Vision - June 24th, 2005
- Beha'alotekha: Critical mass and individual responsibility - June 16th, 2005
- BeMidbar: Be counted as a valued individual - June 2nd, 2005
Rabbis for Human Rights recommends that you read these articles in Qorah
- Qorah: Human Rights for Heavens Sake - June 26th, 2008
- Desecrating Their Graves- Desecrating Our Souls - July 8th, 2007
- Qorah: Clarity in arguments in defense of Human Rights - June 23rd, 2006
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