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Equality
by Rabbi Manis Friedman
It is very disturbing to the Western mind, to the American mind in
particular, to suggest that one group of people is superior to
another. Perhaps this is so because in the past, the belief or the
argument that one group of people is inferior to another has led to
genocide. So Americans have become deeply committed to ideas of
equality, and it has become a goal, a moral virtue to which American
society aspires. But there is something inherently mistaken with
this attitude or belief in equality as a means of attaining greater
good, a greater morality.
Our ideas of equality have their origins in Thomas Jefferson's
claim, that all men are created equal. Obviously, Jefferson did not
mean that literally. He was not speaking of the differences between
individuals that make some stronger, smarter, and better than
others. He was speaking of a universal principle by virtue of which
all men are equal. But our society has become so focused on
achieving equality, that we insist on "equality" as a criterion and
virtue in life. In doing so, we pretend to ignore the differences
between people. Equality, however, is not a virtue.
We cannot demand anything on the grounds of equality, because
equality remains to be seen. People are different, and necessarily
so. Some are brighter, more talented and more beautiful than others.
Some are better at some things and others are better at other
things. And there is no morality in denying our differences. In
fact, it is dangerous and immoral to predicate morality on the
assumption that we are all equal, because that leaves open the
possibility that, should you discover that I am in fact inferior to
you, then it's all right for you to abuse me. What really is
morality?
Briefly stated, the Torah says that morality means that the strong
may not take advantage of the weak. Where there are no strong and no
weak, if everybody is the same, there is no need for morality. It is
precisely where there can be abuse, that we need morality. Which is
why the Torah says that we may not be cruel to animals. No one is
going to argue that animals are our equal. Certainly, the animal is
inferior to human beings. The human being has many advantages over
the animal which make it possible for him to outwit it, to torture
it and do nearly anything he wants with it. Yet the Torah says, "You
may not be cruel to animals."
To put it differently, if someone would say to me that I, as a Jew,
am therefore inferior to him, my moral obligation would be to teach
him that being inferior, he may not take advantage of me. I have no
obligation to teach him or prove to him that I am not inferior.
Rather, my moral obligation is to tell him, "Yes, you may be
stronger than I am, this is your country, I'm just a stranger here,
you've got the money, the power and the authority, but you may not
take advantage of me." That is morality. Because it does not allow
for abuse or mistreatment in spite of inequality. What we need then,
is not to pursue equality, but rather to pursue a universal value --
universal because it includes all people and applies to all
humankind at all times.
Under such a value, individual differences become irrelevant because
each individual, all other considerations notwithstanding, is bound
in equal measure by the value. This universal value, Judaism
teaches, is that all people were created to serve G-d. Here is where
equality lies. In the value - not in the people. When we start off
with a universal value that spreads equality over us all, our
differences are not threatening.
When we recognize that each of us is bound by an obligation to serve
G-d -- that each of us was created for this purpose, then our
individual qualities and differences do not make us uncomfortable.
They are the means or the details through which each of us fulfills
our individual purpose in the service of G-d. Just as a good life
produces happiness -- not the reverse -- so too, does a moral life
produce equality among all people. Equality, is the by-product, not
the end. A society that strives to live under universal principles
of morality will inevitably be one that respects the life of each
individual.
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