From the Rector…
In Judaism, the search for truths—not just a single truth—guides the study of the Talmud, the sacred text that includes what Christians call the Old Testament. While I’m not deeply familiar with Talmudic study, I’ve learned about a practice called Chavruta that captures my imagination.
What is Chavruta?
In Chavruta, students pair up to “teach” one another. One poses a question and offers an answer. The other listens and responds with another possible answer. The beauty of this practice lies in the belief that the deepest truth often emerges not from one voice or the other, but from the dialogue between them. It’s a living embodiment of the idea that two heads are better than one.
A Different Way of Listening
Imagine a world shaped by this approach—not needing to be right, not arguing to win or persuading others to our point of view—but instead, seeing differing perspectives as a path to greater truth than we could reach alone. What if we approached disagreements not as adversaries, but as friends? What might we discover if we entered conversations not to convince, but to connect?
A Moment That Changed My Perspective
I once witnessed this kind of dialogue around a sacred text. The person who posed the initial question and offered an answer stunned me with their clarity and insight. I was sure they were right. Then I heard a second answer—equally powerful and thought-provoking. As I sat with both perspectives, I realized I might have offered a third. None were “better.” All were rich, expansive, and full of possibility.
That’s the kind of space I want to live in—a space where my world grows larger, not smaller. Where new ideas and possibilities multiply and more voices are welcomed. A space where difference isn’t a threat, but a gift that holds us together.
The Challenge We Face
Many of us are tired of the division and brittleness in our culture. I don’t expect Chavruta between political parties—especially in a world where even football rivalries can cause hurt feelings. But maybe that’s part of the problem.
Our competitive culture teaches us to win at all costs. Even the smallest concession feels like failure. No compromise. No retreat. No room to yield. It’s exhausting.
A Question for Us All
So here’s my Chavruta-style question:
In a world resistant to listening and increasingly defined by division, what can I do or say that contributes to a healthier unity?
My answer:
Maybe I can choose to listen—without judgment—not only to the words, but to the story behind them. Instead of rushing to speak my own truth, I can trust the Holy Spirit to create space for it, if I stay faithful to the relationship; willing to hear the other’s truth. And maybe, I just might discover that the truest answer lies somewhere in between both of our answers.
So—what’s your answer?
Light and Life,
Candice Frazer+