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Rabbi Howard Morrison

Two times the Ninth of Adar - A time to reflect when dispute goes beyond the pale

17/02/2022 09:01:45 AM

Feb17

Dear Congregational Family,
 
With the two months of Adar in a leap year, every day is doubled this year. For example, the fifteenth of Adar appears twice. We called the first one Purim Katan, the little Purim. The second one will be the fullness of Purim.
 
The seventh of Adar appears twice, the date of the Yahrzeit of Moshe Rabeinu. As with other Yahrzeits in a leap year, this may be observed in either Adar 1 or Adar 2, or in both months of Adar.
 
There is one particular Hebrew date in Adar which is less known and perhaps more significant now than ever before. Before I mention what that date is, allow me to tell you about the reputations of the ancient schools of Hillel and Shammai. When they disputed on matters of Jewish law, the Talmud says that their disputes were of lasting value because they were for the sake of Heaven. In their disputes, they married among each other's communities and ate off each other's plates.
 
However, there became an exception to their peaceful way of disputing with each other. The Mishna relates: "And these are some of the regulations enacted in the attic of Hananiah ben Gorion, when the Rabbis came to visit him. They did a roll call and found that the disciples of Shammai were more numerous than those of Hillel, and they enforced eighteen regulations on that day." The Sages consider this day to be a tragedy. The Talmud explains: On that day, the House of Shammai "thrust a sword into the study house and declared: 'Whoever wants to enter may enter, but no one may leave!' And on that day Hillel sat in submission before Shammai . . . and it was wretched for Israel as the day on which the golden calf was made (Babylonian Talmud Shabbat 17a)."
 
The afore-mentioned incident took place on the ninth of Adar. Subsequent Sages declared that it should be a day of fasting and repentance. This year, the ninth of Adar 1 took place last week on February 10. The ninth of Adar 2 will coincide with Shabbat Zachor, the Sabbath to Remember, on March 12.
 
Even the peaceful schools of Hillel and Shammai, known for respectful debate, went beyond the pale.
 
In a sad but similar vein, what should be peaceful and civil disagreements in our own country have gone beyond the pale. I encourage you to hear and read the vitriol which has taken place over the past couple of weeks and which seems to intensify every day.
 
Maybe between the dates of 9 Adar 1 and 9 Adar 2, each and every citizen of this country should engage in sincere reflection so that any forthcoming disputes will truly be for the sake of heaven and have lasting value.
 
Sincerely,

Rabbi Howard Morrison

Tue, 29 April 2025 1 Iyyar 5785