12 May, 2001
19 Iyyar, 5761
The Torah and its mitzvoth deal to a degree with conformity. This particular Torah sidrah as does all of the Torah, deals with what G-d expects of us in adhering to the will of G-d. Many writers of today will write of the dangers of conformity. Conformity, they say, is the road to mediocrity; it is the triumph of the inferior; it transforms the potential leader into the organization man or woman; it stifles the creative artist and muzzles the genius, and it can lead to a "mob mentality."
We should remind ourselves, however, that the dangers of conformity lie chiefly in what we are conforming to. Conformity is bad when we conform down, -when we shape our ideals and pattern our behavior according to those of people who are irresponsible or prejudiced.
After all, conformance with others is one of the great methods of education, -when we conform up. Children learn to speak correctly, to behave well, to have poise and manners by curbing their own irregular efforts into patterns set by older, and hopefully wiser, people. Courtesy, honesty, sportsmanship, -all these kinds of conformity to ideally high standards, and they are conformity that is good for us.
Conformity is good when it lifts us higher, bad when it keeps us lower. Conform to the best you see. But, never resent others who differ because they are conforming to something still better. Conform to make yourself as good as the best you know. Differ to make yourself better than what you know is not the best.
How can we know the "best?" How can we know what to follow? We can read, study, and put into practice the Torah, for it is within the Torah that we find the "secrets" of the good, and of the abundant life.
Shalom U'Vracha,
Thomas, Greta, and Talie
