Parashah and Politics·Episode 29·Mar 20, 2024

Parashat Acharei Mot: The University Seal and the Light of God

In exploring the seals of prestigious American universities, Rabbi Meir Soloveichik highlights the profound integration of Hebrew language and biblical themes, particularly the concept of divine light, as seen in the seals of Dartmouth, Yale, and Columbia. These seals, adorned with Hebrew inscriptions like "El Shaddai" and "urim v’tumim," symbolize a historical intertwining of faith and reason, suggesting that biblical revelation and human inquiry were once viewed as complementary pursuits. However, Soloveichik laments the modern shift away from these roots, noting that the pursuit of truth in academia has been overshadowed by lesser ideals, as observed by scholars like Jonathan Haidt. This shift is poignantly contrasted with the sacred rituals of Yom Kippur described in Parashat Acharei Mot, where the high priest's service in the Holy of Holies, illuminated by the light of coals, symbolizes the enduring moral vision that Judaism offers the world. This vision, Soloveichik argues, is crucial for maintaining absolute standards of human conduct, a necessity underscored by historical tragedies like the Holocaust.