One fact people across political divides today may still agree upon is that civil discourse is turning less and less civil. Indeed, the sheer lack of desire to try to understand those with opposing political opinions and to disagree constructively over critical questions is posing an existential threat to democracies around the world. In response, Pardes created Mahloket Matters: How to Disagree Constructively which provides materials for rabbis, teachers and lay leaders to use in their synagogue, school or community.
The goal is to utilize Jewish texts and wisdom to increase people’s motivation and ability to understand and engage more constructively with opinions that differ from their own. We believe that this will result in improved personal relationships and civil discourse.
Mahloket Matters consists of three components:
- The Beit Midrash Way – A five-part educational workshop series where each unit examines a central question currently under political debate, such as “When do we agree to meet with our political adversaries, and when do we refuse?” These central questions are first analyzed through a biblical conflict story. After carefully analyzing the biblical story and their ambiguities, various interpretations of these facts are then introduced through the study of the classic commentaries on the story. Each unit then examines contradictory historical precedents that can be used to support or refute opposing responses to the central question of the unit. The units each conclude with an activity involving reading contradictory news from a recent event. Available for $500.
- The Sanhedrin Way – A 60–90 minute educational workshop for use in your community where participants study Jewish texts about the ancient Sanhedrin’s guidelines for engaging in constructive mahloket. Participants then practice what they’ve learned by engaging in an exciting and interactive mock-Sanhedrin exercise. Available at no charge.
- 9Adar Resources – Individual educational workshop materials that address additional debates whose clash of values have been present throughout the ages. Each unit takes on a “central question” and presents Jewish text study, commentaries, and/or related historical events before addressing the issue in modern times. Created for 9Adar: Jewish Week of Constructive Conflict, and appropriate for use throughout the year. Available at no charge.
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