Shalom and peace:
We will continue today with Judaism's Derek Eretz, how we are to behave towards one another. ''Subject your will to the will of others, as was done by Leah for Rachel and by David for Saul.''
Judaism teaches us that one of our highest values is shalom, peace. Even one of God's names is Shalom.
If my wife and I are watching TV, and she wants to watch one show and I another, it is more important for peace in the house, that I agree to watch her show with her, rather than watching on separate TVs. Good relations trumps individual will and wants.
We see a great example of this with Abraham and Lot. Both of their herds have grown and Lot believes they need to split and each go to a different place. Look how Abraham handles this situation, calmly, and lovingly. '' So Abram said to Lot, "Let's not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you? Let's part company. If you go to the left, I'll go to the right; if you go to the right, I'll go to the left."
On the other hand look how many of our business relations or marriages have ended. They end with strife. Avoiding strife is a Torah commandment.
Abraham calls Lot his ''brother.'' Lot was Abraham's nephew. We are to treat all of our fellows as siblings. Malichi says: " Have we all not one Father? Hath not one God created us? Why should we deal treacherously every man against his brother? '' Yet how many of us know of siblings no longer speaking to one another because of fights over money.
Leah was in competition with her sister Rachel. In Gen. Chapter 30 , Leah has 6 sons. Leah's and Rachel's maids each have two. Leah is pregnant again. Leah knows Jacob wants and will have 12 sons. If Leah has a 7th son, the most Rachel could have is one. That would place her in a lower status than both maids. So Leah prays to God to change the male fetus into a female. Leah gives birth to Dinah for the sake of Rachel's will. This is from the Talmud, not the Torah.
David is in a war with Saul. Saul is the old king and David is to be the new king. David and his men are hiding in a cave. Saul, not knowing they are there, enters this cave to relieve himself. David has his chance to kill Saul but doesn't. While Saul is concentrating, David quietly cuts a piece of Saul's robe. David put Saul's will to live, above his will to win this war.
When we learn to put our will and wants secondary to others, and treat people the way we would want to be treated, we help bring about peace and good relationships.
Rabbi Arthur Segal is an international lecturer, author, and teacher. Visit him at www.JewishSpiritualRenewal.org. Follow him on FaceBook at 'Arthur L Segal', on Twitter at RabbiASegal, or his blog at http://rabbiarthursegal.blogspot.com . Email at RabbiSegal@JewishSpiritualRenewal.net .
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