Politics in the Sukkah, and Other Fine Subjects

I had an interesting conversation over Shabbat with a guest in my sukkah who wanted to talk politics. Immediately, I sensed trouble. I thought to myself: Are we really doing this again? Are we reminding ourselves how much we all agree with one another? And if we don’t agree, should we gear up for verbal combat during a holiday of rejoicing?

I managed to steer the conversation toward more philosophical questions, such as: Why does politics have such a hold on us? What price do we pay for allowing it to be so dominant? (I had to throw in: Will the Lakers finally beat the pesky Miami Heat?) It was a deeper conversation that took us to a more meaningful place than squabbling over candidates and political parties.

During this era of extreme partisanship, I’ve tried to look for meaningful places without taking sides. Yes, this is as hard as it sounds. It’d be much simpler to take a side, pile on, and tell readers who agree with me what they already know.

So why am I reluctant to do that? Because it’s too easy and too divisive. There is already more than enough commentary out there that reinforces what people already believe.

It’s more interesting, in my view, to look for broader ideas we all share or ought to share. Curiosity, for example. Instead of instant judgment, why not try to understand why people who disagree with us think the way they do? Stereotyping those on the other side is a time-saving device, but it doesn’t expand our own awareness and horizons.

I can’t tell you how often I hear people complain that they “just don’t understand” how anyone can vote for this or that party or candidate.

I like to reply: That’s correct, you don’t understand. But have you tried?

Putting ourselves in the shoes of the Other is one of life’s most difficult but worthy endeavors. Many of us have no problem doing that with victims of discrimination or other oppressed groups. Why not try it with those who sit on the opposite side of the political fence?

Well, for one thing, because we don’t see our political opposites as victims who deserve empathy. Because it’s too much effort. Because all we want to do is win.

But we can push for our side to win without denigrating the other side. We can understand other views without agreeing with them. We can open our minds without changing them.

Above all, even when we’re madly rooting for our team to win, we can look for things we share with the other side. As much as I enjoyed seeing my beloved Lakers bring home a championship Sunday night, I know that what I share with Miami fans is a deep love of basketball– win or lose.