One of the many joys I receive from working in an institution of learning is the opportunity for intellectual discussion with my colleagues.

Mr George and I regularly exchange podcast and book recommendations, newspaper articles, and then engage in friendly arguments about our sometimes differing views.

In having to articulate my thoughts, our banter has often been an opportunity for me to think more critically and deeply about Judaism, in general, for me personally and how Jewish values sit within the current world context.

Recently, one such discussion was held regarding moral objectivity, a central tenet of Judaism and one of the themes of the statement of monotheism in the 鈥楽hema鈥�.

And while Mr George and I were in furious agreement in this regard, there was one subtle difference between the scientific approach to moral objectivity, and the religious and philosophical approaches to moral objectivity, that has been at the forefront of my thoughts in recent weeks.

Unlike Science, Philosophy and Judaism can both hold two ideas as true even though those ideas or values are opposed to each other.

An example of this is the notion of 鈥渇ree will鈥�.

For ourselves, we need to believe that we have agency and self-determination. We need to channel the words of 鈥業nvictus鈥� and know that we are in charge of our own destinies, able to create these destinies through personal willpower and grit. We need to believe that our success is in our hands and discard feelings of victimhood and self-defeat.

However, when looking at others outside ourselves, we need to channel thoughts of pre-determination based on genes and life lotteries. When we look at the successes, or more importantly the failures of others, we shouldn鈥檛 do so with disdain or blame. We shouldn鈥檛 say 鈥渨ell, if you鈥檇 just worked harder, you wouldn鈥檛 be living in abject poverty.鈥� Instead, we should come to them from an empathetic and understanding mindset,听appreciating that we don鈥檛 all start at the same line and some people start life with insurmountable obstacles.

So, with the notion of free will, I truly think that these opposite views can - and indeed should - both be held as truths. (While scientific and historical truths, by definition, must be singular, the notion of truth in the realm of ideas and ethics can often be multidimensional).

Self-determination and being the receptacle for destiny are opposed; we need to hold these both as true to lead a good life.

As well as this, Judaism teaches us the importance of valuing the individual. We are created 鈥楤e Tzelem Elokim鈥� 听- in the image of G-d. But these individual rights must be balanced with the good for the masses. We need to focus on other people鈥檚 individual rights but, for ourselves, focus on our communal responsibility. While it is challenging to reconcile libertarian and utilitarian values, Judaism teaches us that we need to have both these values as driving forces for our actions. Arguments regarding mandatory COVID vaccinations are a current example of the clash between individual rights and communal responsibility. A society that dismisses either of these values is not morally sustainable. We have an obligation to hold both values as true and endeavour to dance in the grey between.

This same dichotomy is the delicate balance that schools walk every day. It is imperative that we care for the individual needs of students and somehow balance these individual needs with those which will benefit the whole cohort. It is indeed a fraught tightrope, but one that is essential to navigate with heart and wisdom.

I want to thank Mr George for engaging in these conversations with me. That we come to these discussions with different backgrounds and points of view makes them all the more engaging. Stepping out of the echo chamber is imperative to intellectual and moral growth, and I couldn鈥檛 have asked for a better sparring partner. Despite our different viewpoints, we more often than not find ourselves on common ground.

Wishing you all a Shabbat Shalom,

Shula

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