Editorial: Let’s stop talking politics at our Shabbat table
See also Rabbi Jonathan Sacks: Sinat chinam? Take a deep breath, love your fellow Jew
We must distinguish between legitimate anger towards those who threaten our existence (Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and so on) and unwarranted hatred — sinat chinam — directed at fellow Jews whose opinions differ from our own. Our Sages instructed, and we’re reminded on Tisha B’Av, that such sinat chinam leads to disastrous consequences.
Even in our religiously observant and Zionist communities, with a broad consensus on current issues, there are individuals who hold alternative views. We should acknowledge and respect this diversity and remember that only Hashem has infallible insight; as certain as we are in the correctness of our views, both we and our dissident neighbors may be wrong.
Last week’s Jewish Star ran a front-page banner promising a “100% Trump and Harris free” edition, with the goal of enjoying a “presidential-politics-free Shabbat.” Trump and Harris are back in this week’s paper, but if you want to discuss one of our articles during Shabbat, consider one of the d’var Torahs by Rabbis Sacks, Billet, Etengoff or Freedman, or Kosher Bookworm by Alan Gerber.
While advocating for a preferred candidate is our civic duty — as Americans, as Jews, and as Zionists — we must avoid letting political discussions turn so contentious that they fracture the bonds of community. Excluding neighbors with differing views is equally problematic. Neither is in the spirit of Shabbat shalom.
If turning down the heat is too great a challenge right now, consider displaying the “STOP” sign featured here (and on page 21 of this week's print edition) to maintain a politics-free Shabbat table.
Let’s strive to promote a harmonious atmosphere where love of our eternal Torah and klal Yisrael takes precedence over scoring fleeting political points.
