By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal
SAN DIEGO — A common reason shared by non-Jews considering conversion to Judaism is that their former religious traditions discourage questioning. Judaism, on the other hand, encourages questions and even allows us to question God. Jews are the Children of Israel and Israel means “One who struggles with God.”
Abraham, the first Jew, questioned and even argued with God. When God wanted to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham protested: “Will you sweep away the innocent along with the guilty? What if there should be fifty innocent within the city; will You then wipe out the place and not forgive it for the sake of the innocent fifty who are in it? Far be it from You to do such a thing, to bring death upon the innocent as well as the guilty, so that the innocent and guilty fare alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?” (Gen:23-25)
Abraham was able to negotiate down to ten innocent people, but since not even this meager number could be found, God ordered Lot and his family, the only righteous people in the city, to leave and then destroyed the rest.
Similarly, in parashat Korach, Moses argues with God not to sweep away the innocent along with the guilty. After Korach and his followers challenge Moses’ and Aaron’s authority God is furious: “Stand back from this community that I may annihilate them in an instant!” (Num. 16:21)
But Moses and Aaron would have none of this. “They fell on their faces and said, ‘O God, Source of the breath of all flesh! When one man sins, will You be wrathful with the whole community?'” (Num. 15:22) God changed God’s mind and decided to punish only the guilty, sparing the innocent.
And yet, this is not to say the acts of individuals do not have profound implications and repercussions. No matter what we do or say, others are affected positively or negatively by our speech and actions.
Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai told the following story: A boat carrying many passengers set out to sea. When they were far from land one man opened his bag, took out an awl, and started drilling a hole under his seat.The other passengers were horrified. They begged him to stop.”How am I bothering you?” he replied. “I’m only drilling under my seat.””Yes,” they answered, “but the water you let into the boat will drown all of us!”
Through this very simple story the rabbis teach us about corporate responsibility. Cain, who protested to God: “I am not my brother’s keeper,” was wrong. We are all responsible for each other. God may not punish the innocent along with the guilty, but the innocent still suffer when those around them act carelessly, thoughtlessly, and negligently.
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Rabbi Rosenthal is spiritual leader of Tifereth Israel Synagogue in San Diego. He may be contacted at leonard.rosenthal@sdjewishworld.com