[Avodah] demonstrations

[Ilana Sober]

Apropos the discussion on Areivim about the gay pride parade,
counterprotests, garbage-burning, etc.

Is there a Torah perspective on the concept of demonstrations in general? On
the one hand, my experience is that at demonstrations everyone is expected
(and inspired) to shout catchy slogans that almost always represent a gross
oversimplification of the situation. On the other hand, demonstratons may
the most effective, or the only, way for people to influence destructive or
misguided actions of the government.

I can easily imagine many episodes in Shemot and BaMidbar as demonstrations.
Who shouted "Hamibli ein kevarim bemitzrayim" on the shores of yam suf? Like
many speeches at demonstrations, it's clever, and it captures and focuses
the people's mood - but it's wrong. Or the rally in B'haalotc'ha - "No more
Man!" "We want meat!" "What do we want? Kishuim! When do we want it? Now!"
Or Korach's "Men in Techelet" demonstration. Or the meraglim standing before
the people, cleverly steering them from hope to despair. Or the ma'apilim,
fired by misguided religious inspiration.

On the other hand, Eliyahu HaNavi held a massive korban rally on Har
HaKarmel and inspired the people to resist Achav, get off the fence, and
shout "H' Hu Ha'Elokim!"

 - Ilana