John Lennon versus Rabbi Kook

We have heard how it was “in the beginning”; G-d created Heaven and Earth and then He went on to separate. He separated light from dark, night from day, water from dry land, male from female, and many languages from one voice.

On the other hand, humanity is busy trying to unite. Males and females unite to create life, we unite in our efforts to build communities, and we unite elements in nature to create and develop, not just what we need to survive, but also what we need to thrive and grow.

The Paradox
We exist in a paradox; we are individuals with our unique fingerprint who fight for that individuality while we are social animals who depend on community. The biological factor is that we can’t do it alone, we need to belong somewhere. And so, we search, inwardly and outwardly, to find a connection with who we are, who we connect with, and a place to connect to. This search takes place within relationships.

Martin Buber was a prominent twentieth-century philosopher who looked to answer the question “What is man?” He said that while this questioning begins in solitude, for man to find who he is, he must overcome solitude. He wrote that we must realize that we always exist in the presence of other-selves and that the self is a part of reality only to the extent that it is relational.

Although we are not unique among species biologically speaking, that can’t do it alone, we are unique among species in that we are self-reflective.

“Challenging the meaning of life is the truest expression of the state of being human.” – Viktor Frankl

The Relationships
There are three types of relationships: to self, others, and our environment. The challenge of finding the meaning of life takes place within a relationship. This is where diversity begins to take shape. We start with a common baseline, common sense. Finding the meaning of life takes shape with the individual experiences of the various relationships. Groups are formed when we form a common meaning. The individuals then protect the group from outside influences to maintain common sense. Once there is a perception of a threat, we divide and separate. If there is no threat and we feel safe, tolerance becomes a uniting force.

Judaism
In Judaism, there is a blessing for everything. Some are straightforward and universal as in blessing before eating. Yet we make a blessing before everything we drink and eat, before a meal, and after a meal. We bless different times of the year or seasons and when we do something for the first time. We bless nature, upon seeing a rainbow, and so on. One blessing that I learned recently, was the inspiration for this blog. It is the blessing said when we see many people.

“The Sages taught: When one sees a multitude of Israelites, they say: ‘Blessed is He Who knows all secrets,’ because their minds are not alike, and their faces are not alike” (Berakhot)
There are so many meaningful layers to this. The one layer I want to touch upon now is the idea that when we gaze upon a large number of people, we see differences, individuals. Yet, the blessing speaks of “He Who knows all secrets”. This may indicate that in individuality unity can exist. It is precisely through the differences, that allows all individuals to unite toward a single purpose.

When I hear John Lennon’s Imagine, it moves me. Especially when it was played at the first memorial of 9/11 in Times Square. When I stop and pay attention to the lyrics though, I can’t relate. Do I want to live in a world without hatred, war, oppression, and intolerance? Of course. Do I want to imagine there’s no heaven, countries, or religion? I don’t think so. I like differences. I like diversity.

We joke around and say, put two Jews in a room and you will have three opinions. Rabbi Kook, the first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of British Mandatory Palestine and one of the fathers of religious Zionism, was unique in that he formed an organized doctrine that gives room to all the methods of Torah study and spiritual paths in the service of G-d. In this way, all the Tribes of Israel can unite, to inspire each other, and illuminate the word of G-d in the world. The message is that we can imagine different groups living in peace and tolerance. It is up to them to find their common purpose.

Rav Kook wrote:
“The science of mechanics has survived for many years, and the thoroughly mistaken law that “two forces that oppose each other create a negation upon their encounter” became a line for industry, for which it was as an iron yoke on its neck. But through experimentation and the broadening of awareness, the realization strode forward proudly that two forces do not negate each other upon their encounter – they create a “new, positive force” that is also an active force that contributes to man’s betterment when they know how to utilize it.”

We are a part of this dynamic existence we call life, not passive just receivers or observers. It is within the tension of what is and isn’t in our control, fighting for our individuality while living in a community and the choices we make, that moves us on our chosen paths.

Imagine finding that common purpose and through our differences bring about unity.