16 Elul 5785/September 9, 2025

Rabbi Ben Sharff

Sadly, so many of our dialogues and conversations, especially, but not exclusively to topics related to anything political and especially to Israel, there are now concrete perspectives that one side is the hero, and the other side is the villain. Unfortunately, with this line of thinking, it becomes very difficult to be in dialogue or relationship when your side is right, and the other side is wrong. Or even worse, when your side is the side of righteousness and the other side, is the side of villainy.

By making the villain out of someone you disagree with, it removes any and all possibility of understanding intent or for compassion.

What we cannot do is villainize each other especially if we do have the best intentions to advocate and support innocent people who are suffering. That we may disagree on methods and priorities does not mean ill intent. There is a lot of room for compassion and concern. It is just in today’s world, far too often, we are told we have to make a choice and pick a side as there is only one hero and only one villain, which in turn leads to more hate and intolerance.

The world is complicated and messy, and to minimize this, minimizes us all. For it is the moral certainty that creates heroes and villains. I encourage all of us not to be in that business. But instead, to lead with curiosity, and to be in the business of machlochot l’shem shemayim, arguments for the sake of heaven.