It appears to me that sometimes in the world of Messianic Judaism, the Torah is a vehicle of mean spirited dissension. In Mishlei 3:17 (Proverbs) it states speaking of Torah: "Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace." If the ways of Torah are pleasantness and ALL her paths are peace then how can it be that there is so much dissension among those who claim to follow Torah? When Torah is applied in its intended manner there should be peace and pleasantness.
The problem is rooted in arrogance and pride. How so, you might ask? It happens when a person begins to think that they have it all together above and beyond someone else. I saw a Facebook post this week of a congregation dancing during Sukkot. It was such a beautiful dance. People are worshipping the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob with their all of their heart, with all of their soul, and with all of their strength. It really was a joy to watch. Then, in the comments section, someone had the audacity to use their very limited understanding of the Hebrew language to start k'vetching about the song that used the word "G-d" instead of HaShem's four-letter ineffable Name. Something about calling on a false god. Essentially the person was exerting prideful behavior, criticizing others because they believed that what they knew was superior to those they were criticizing.
Patience, humility, and emunah in community are of the utmost importance! All of us are in a different place in our relation to HaShem. Some are closer and others are further away. The last thing that should happen is that those who are further away in their relationship to HaShem get pushed farther away because of the pride and arrogance of those who think they are closer. The truth is, when a person has greater knowledge but exercise it in pride and arrogance towards others, they are further away than those who they think are further away. When patience, humility, and emunah are exercised, the outcome is much more favorable. Why? It is rooted in love, care, and concern for the person, not in the knowledge that one possesses. Have we lost the ability to truly care about the person in our culture? Is it always about being right in what we think we know? Have we become more concerned about the covenant itself instead of the object of the covenant? Truly loving one's neighbor is rooted in first realizing that the person is a human being with thoughts, feelings, and a host of other attributes that are created in the image of HaShem. Sukkot is rooted in unity. Shaking the lulav symbolizes our commitment to bring about unity in this world and unify the Name of HaShem among the community. Unity is the goal of comm-UNITY!
It is only then that a Torah of darkness becomes a Torah of light!
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