Kol Hamevaser ; March 22, 2015

Abstract

"This issue of Kol Ha-Mevaser attempts to tackle some of the challenging questions that come up when talking about the concept of Jewish community. While reading this issue and reflecting on our community, let us try to remember that the exhortation not to “separate from the community” also carries the reverse message. We must strive to ensure that we don’t make a community that people want to separate themselves from. Midrash Bamidbar Rabba teaches that there are “shiviim panim la-Torah.” The phrase literally translates “there are seventy faces of the Torah,” and this principle is classically used to explain the myriad of explanations and interpretations that can exist for one source.iii This idea that Judaism is a religion of multiple truths implies that a Jewish community does not need to have one uniform practice and hashkafah; therefore, one must wonder: is there really a singular ideal Jewish community? I think the ideal community is one where multiple opinions and practices are studied, respected and examined, through lenses that foster spiritual growth and a positive sense of belonging." --[Editor's thoughts]