{"id":45352,"date":"2018-10-19T16:55:36","date_gmt":"2018-10-19T22:55:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/?p=45352"},"modified":"2018-10-19T16:55:36","modified_gmt":"2018-10-19T22:55:36","slug":"off-the-pulpit-the-art-of-rivalry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/off-the-pulpit-the-art-of-rivalry\/","title":{"rendered":"Off the Pulpit: The Art of Rivalry"},"content":{"rendered":"

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE<\/p>\n

\"\"

The notion of rivalry to improve rather than simply destroy is increasingly rare. In sports, the end zone dance is to mock the opposition. In politics, the argument is not for clarity but victory. There is a delight in the downfall of others that goes beyond the normal limits of Schadenfreude. We suffer from an excess of schadenfreudal glee.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe envy of scholars increases wisdom\u201d teaches the Talmud. Rabbi Johanan was saddened by the loss of his intellectual sparring partner, Resh Lakish, and complained that others just supported his positions when Resh Lakish offered twenty-four objections to each view. Trying to outdo another can make us better.<\/p>\n

We are spurred by competition but debased by maliciousness. Time to relearn the precious art of rivalry.<\/p>\n

(Rabbi David Wolpe is the senior rabbi at Sinai Temple in Los Angeles.)<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Share