“When you draw near to a city to wage war against it, you shall call out to it for peace.”
The Midrash tells us a halachah based on this posuk. There are many things that Chazal were mesaken because of דרכי שלום, ways to keep the peace amongst Klal Yisroel. What exactly is shalom, and why is it so important for Klal Yisroel to have it?
While each shevet had an important role that was unique to them, one that was fundamental to the tzibbur as a whole, nonetheless, the yoke of the tzibbur was shared by all. They were all partners in their avodas Hashem, together with their brothers. No one was to come and say that his shevet was great and more important than another, for all were needed in the total avodas Hashem, and without one shevet, all would be lacking. However, it is not bad if there is a difference of opinion between the shevatim, for the concept of “שלום” is not that all have to agree and think the same way. On the contrary, machlokes that is L'shem Shamayim will endure, for that is the proper path. One needs to be open to truly finding the truth, which comes about through different opinions.
Yaakov Avinu charted each shevet’s unique path and responsibilities, but they all needed to know that not necessarily everything that they thought to be correct was in fact the only thing that was correct and that everyone else was wrong. אלו ואלו דברי אלקים חיים, perhaps your path is correct, and their path is correct, for each one has his own unique path in their service of Hashem. (אמת ליעקב)
If there are two people who think exactly alike, and they work on a project together, while there may not be any fighting during the project, however, there will not be a unified team working on the project. Rather, it is like an individual is working on the project, for the other does not bring another opinion to the table. There is no give and take to see how to make the project better. Even if there were one hundred people or more working together, and they all thought the same, it would be the same as one. Shalom means to work in harmony with others. It means to respect others. It means to try to come to the best outcome after having all opinions on the table.
Each and every Yid is important to Hakodosh Baruch Hu. Each Yid has his unique abilities and his unique way to serve Hakodosh Baruch Hu. No Yid should look down on another, for each Yid has his way in which he can serve Hakodosh Baruch Hu. It is also very important not to infringe on the jobs of others, but everyone should do his own job. No individual Yid can fulfill the entire Torah since there are certain mitzvos that only apply to certain people, such as Kohanim, etc.
If we truly act with shalom together with one another, it will certainly bring Moshiach. May we be zoche to have true shalom and be zoche to a Kesivah v’Chasimah Tovah.
