What do you do? Where do you turn? According to Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, a fascinating early medieval text, the sages responded with a beautiful, practical solution. They decreed that bridegrooms and mourners – those at opposite ends of the emotional spectrum – should make their way to the synagogues and houses of study.
Why? So the community could surround them. The men of the place would rejoice with the bridegroom, celebrating new beginnings even amidst the rubble. And they would sit with the mourner on the earth, sharing their grief, offering comfort in a time of profound loss. The text tells us this was so that "all the Israelites may discharge their duty in the service of loving-kindness." That act of kindness, that embrace of shared humanity, is so powerful. It’s a reminder that even in the face of destruction, community and compassion endure. The text even offers a blessing: "Blessed art Thou, who giveth a good reward to those who show loving-kindness." Beautiful, isn't it?
Now, let’s shift gears and dive into a classic rabbinic debate – a disagreement, as we find in Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, about the very order of creation itself. Specifically, which came first: the heavens or the earth?
The School of Shammai, known for their stricter interpretations, argued that the heavens came first. They point to the very first verse of Genesis, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). Clear as day. Heavens, then earth. They also cite Genesis 2:4, "These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth," and Genesis 2:1, "And the heavens and the earth were finished." Again, heavens get top billing. And for good measure, they throw in Isaiah 66:1: "Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool." The heavens, the divine throne, clearly predate the earthly footstool.
But the School of Hillel, often characterized by their more lenient approach, strongly disagreed. They insisted the earth came first. They find support in Psalm 102:25: "Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the work of thy hands." See? Earth first, then heavens are crafted. They also cite a slightly different reading of Genesis 2:4: "In the day that the Lord God made earth and heaven." This version, to them, emphasizes the earth’s priority. And they bring another verse from Isaiah, 48:18: "Yea, mine hand hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spread out the heavens." Again, the earth gets the foundational role.
Wow. Each side passionately defends its position, meticulously citing scripture. So, how do we resolve this cosmic chicken-or-egg dilemma? According to Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, "Contention arose between them... until the Holy Spirit rested between them, and they both agreed that both were created in one hour and at one moment." After all that debate, the divine presence helps them reach a stunning conclusion: heaven and earth were created simultaneously. A single, unified act of creation.
What does this tell us? Perhaps it's not about establishing a rigid hierarchy, but about recognizing the interconnectedness of all things. Maybe it’s a reminder that even in disagreement, there’s room for growth, for a deeper understanding that transcends our initial perspectives. And maybe, just maybe, it's a beautiful metaphor for how seemingly opposing forces can exist in perfect harmony.