Pardes Center for Judaism and Conflict Resolution together with Organizational Partners declare World-Wide Day of Study and Action

This coming February 9th, the Pardes Center for Judaism and Conflict Resolution, together with its institutional partners from around the world, across religious and political divides, will be commemorating the 9th of Adar as the international Jewish Day of Constructive Conflict (Yom Machloket Leshem Shamayim).

The 9th of Adar marks the day on which the initially peaceful and constructive conflict between the two dominant ideological schools of thought, Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai, on the eve of the destruction of the second Temple (70 CE) tragically erupted into a violent civil war over eighteen legal issues, ultimately leading to the deaths of 3,000 students. The date was later declared a fast day, yet was never observed as such.

In recognition of the eighteen legal matters over which the conflict erupted, there are eighteen ways in which 9 Adar is being commemorated, including:

• refraining from destructive speech,
• eating special food in honor of the day,
• studying texts that inspire constructive conflict, and
• practicing constructive conflict with others.

Individuals, families, schools, college campuses, organizations and communities around the world are therefore participating in and promoting the day in various ways. The individuals and organizations participating include educational programs, rabbis and Jewish study programs, academics and academic institutions, conflict resolution specialists, mediation centers and organizations promoting dialogue.

For more information and to sign up to participate visit: 9adar.org.