This Land Speaks

“You know, in Jewish tradition, when there is a conflict you go to the rabbi. The rabbis have to show wisdom sometimes to solve conflicts which are really look like unsolvable.” Dr Pinhas Alpert paused and looked up into the majority Israeli audience. They laughed politely in approval. “So, there is a Hasidic tale that deals with the very issue we are dealing with today. Once upon a time,” he continued “two men were fighting about a piece of land. Each claimed his ownership and brought proofs , you know, all the documents that showed ownership, but they couldn't reach an agreement. To resolve the differences, they agreed to bring the issue before the rabbi. The rabbi listened but couldn't come to a decision because both were right. They both had rightful ownership of the land, and both had convincing supporting evidence. Finally he said, “since I cannot decide to whom this land belongs, let us ask the land itself. “ So he put his ear to the ground. And after a moment he straightened up and said, “the land tells me that it belongs to neither of you, but that you both belong to the land.”