Big Brother

Over the past year or so I'd say I've gotten a little more acquainted with Arab culture, specifically that of palestinian arab culture. Co-workers and songs on you tube mostly. And I have to say, I'm surprised to find a level of depth that I never considered before. There's heart in there, not some simple childish need to win or conquer alone I think. Specifically in regard to God and the land of Israel I find (or as called in numerous songs 'filistin').

And it kind of got me wondering what does הקב"ה do in such a situation? when you have two sides of an issue who've really got their hearts dug in, how is it possible -even for the most Perfect Being- to navigate such a situation such that not only is -for lack of better word- the 'worthier' side victorious, but that proper respect is given to the earnest heart of the losing side? It's almost seemingly an impossible paradox to solve...

And it got me thinking maybe that's partial pshat of that bewildering pasuk (which i can't find at the moment in Tanach, maybe a reader can help me) where --and i'm paraphrasing from a very vague memory-- the pasuk asks of הקב"ה not to listen to the prayers of the enemy  ( I really wish i could find the pasuk!!).  It's a strange thing really, how do you ask שמים not to accept a תפילה? If it's worthy and all, how does asking שמים to simply not listen to the תפילה effect anything?!

And I think therein is the answer. It's the giving respect to the weight of the other side in having to recognize that he's a בר הכי i.e. that there is substance in his side, there is what to consider, there is a need to ask שמים not to rule in his favor -- it's that deference of respect itself to the losing side which then allows שמים to rule in your favor (assuming you're worthy of such). It then expresses in a wholly True dimension that the decision was not a light one or an easy one. Millions of men women and children's tears' longing and prayers are not to be discounted blithely or easily. Respect. Respecting what's Real, what's True, whats Genuine --regardless of which side you're on-- I think that is the necessary and critical element needed to allow fate's decision to be wholly Just and Fair, from all perspectives. 

Only when the 'winning' child has the maturity and perspective to look upon his rivaling younger brother with respect, understanding, and care -- only then can any parent stand behind that child fully and delegate unto him authority. Anything less is just two babies incessantly fighting hopelessly and it makes for no good reason for the parent to 'get involved' and choose "who's right?". Just to keep them apart as much as possible and hope someday they'll both "grow up"....