The art of the compromise TB Kiddushin 76

We need more politicians like Rav Adda bar Ahava today who know the value of a compromise.

“Rav Adda bar Ahava’s host was the son of a convert, and he and Rav Beivai were quarreling. One said: I will perform the service of the city, i.e., I will be appointed to a position of authority, and one said: I will perform the service of the city. They came before Rav Yosef to decide between them. Rav Yosef said to them: We learned: “You shall set him king over you, whom the Lord your God shall choose; one from among your brothers” (Deuteronomy 17:15). The repetition of the verb “set” in the verse [som tasim] indicates: All appointments that you appoint may be only from among your brothers. Therefore, a convert may not serve in any official position.

“Rav Adda bar Ahava said to Rav Yosef: And does this halakha apply even if the mother of the person in question is born Jewish? In other words, does this apply to one whose father is a convert? Rav Yosef said to him: If his mother is born Jewish, the words: “From among your brothers” are said about him. Therefore, now that it has been determined that this person’s mother was born Jewish and that he is fit to serve a public role, Rav Beivai, who is a great man in Torah learning, should oversee the matters of Heaven, i.e., the public issues that involve the performance of mitzvot; and the Master, Rav Adda bar Ahava’s host, should oversee the other matters of the city. Abaye said, as a moral of the story: Therefore, if one has a Torah scholar as a guest, let him host a person such as Rav Adda bar Ahava, who knows how to plead in his favor, as it was the argument of Rav Adda bar Ahava that led to his host’s appointment.” (Sefaria.org translation) With a compromise Rav Adda bar Ahava was able to satisfy both his host and Rav Beivai.

Too often politicians and political parties subscribe to the zero-sum game. A zero-sum game describes a relationship, competition, or business deal where one person's gain is the other person's loss. In other words,  when I win you have to lose. Therefore, the people share no common interests and are not willing to compromise. We see this play out both in the House of Representatives and the Senate. Because of the polarization of politics it’s harder and harder for anything bipartisan to be passed. If the one side proposes a bill, the other side rejects it out of hand even if it’s for the good of our country because it would give a victory to the opposing aisle.

We have lost the art of compromise in our country is the worst for it.