Judaism is a tradition of canonized and sanctified argumentation. Some of our most central texts of the tradition are recorded disputes. It is through the mechanism of disagreement that we are able to uncover the multiple layers of meaning and profundity from different texts and practices. In the words of the Sages we thrive on "disagreement for the sake of Heaven."
What though defines a disagreement for the sake of Heaven? One way to understand what a disagreement for the sake of Heaven is, is to understand what it is not. The events surrounding the great dispute between Korah and Moshe as exhibited in this week's Parsha exemplifies a very mundane dispute.
Korah presents a challenge to the very legitimacy of Moshe's authority over the Nation of Israel. This act is a very severe one and must not be discounted fully and disregarded. After all, murmurings of discontent left alone will eventually morph into an all-out rebellion. While the content of Korah's complaint is important and deserves close attention, for our purposes we will focus in on the manner in which it was delivered and its structure.
The challengers to the status quo show no facade of politeness or assuming positive intentions. They do not ask clarifying questions or provide space for Moshe to explain from his perspective and offer an alternative view of the events they are disgruntled about. Korah and his followers immediately and without delay jump into a tirade assuming the worst intentions of Moshe.
One does not begin a "disagreement for the sake of Heaven" by assuming the worst in the other. In fact, one tries to assume as little as possible about the intentions of the other and rather lets the other explain their actions and decisions. Sacred disagreement, the kind that has sustained the Jewish imagination for centuries, is not about proving the other wrong. Sacred and holy disagreement is about uncovering the complex layers of truth and drawing out distinctions in the service of the discovery of that truth.
Moshe's response to their tirade then is a demonstration of an extreme reaction to an extreme situation. Since Korah and his constituents were not utilizing the methods of sacred disagreement, the only reaction Moshe could exhibit was one of extreme deference: "Moshe heard and fell on his face." Rashi based on the Midrash Tanhuma understands Moshe's action as one of prayer on behalf of the people. However, we can see Moshe's actions in another light. They showed no signs of respect at all towards Moshe thus Moshe as the great pedagogue of the people uses his moment to respond to demonstrate utter respect by bowing low to the ground.
The Parsha of Korah teaches us the pivotal and defining concept of "disagreement for the sake of heaven." It reinforces for us that all disagreements must be in the search of truth and not based on assumptions of the character or integrity of the other person. May we heed the challenge of sacred disagreement.
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