There is an old story about a jar filled with red ants and black ants. 

For a long time, the ants live together peacefully. They go about their lives, sharing the same space, with little conflict. Then one day, someone picks up the jar and shakes it violently. Suddenly, the ants turn against one another. The red ants blame the black ants. The black ants blame the red ants. They attack each other, many are hurt, and some die. But neither side realizes the truth – the other ants were never the cause of their suffering. The real question they should have asked was “Who shook the jar?” and “Why?”

Israel today often feels like that jar. As elections approach and political tensions rise, we are once again witnessing deepening divisions between left and right, secular and religious, Ashkenazi and Mizrahi, supporters and opponents of the current government and Prime Minister.

Political disagreements that once remained disagreements have increasingly become personal. Too often, fellow Israelis are no longer viewed as people with different perspectives, but as threats. We stop debating ideas and begin questioning the character, intentions, and legitimacy of those on the other side.

This is dangerous. Not because disagreement is harmful. Disagreement has always been part of Jewish history. The Talmud itself is built on debate. Jewish tradition never demanded that everyone think alike. In fact, some of our greatest teachings emerged from disagreement. The question is whether we can disagree while still recognizing the humanity of the person across the table. This is the difference between machloket........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)