Times That Try Our Souls
"These are times that try men‘s [and women’s] souls,” said Thomas Paine, the political activist who helped inspire the American Revolution. Wouldn’t it be so wonderful if we could wake up to a world in which everyone was treated equally? Wouldn’t it be so wonderful if superheroes could save us from all the maladies facing the world, a pandemic which continues to take many lives, massive unemployment, food shortages, just fighting the good fight against injustice where goodness triumphs over evil allowing us to be free? This is the stuff that dreams are made of and are no strangers to Jewish life. Too often as history’s victims, we have clung to a vision of God’s redemption, our return to our homeland and the ushering in of the messianic era.
"These are times that try men‘s [and women’s] souls,” said Thomas Paine, the political activist who helped inspire the American Revolution. Wouldn’t it be so wonderful if we could wake up to a world in which everyone was treated equally? Wouldn’t it be so wonderful if superheroes could save us from all the maladies facing the world, a pandemic which continues to take many lives, massive unemployment, food shortages, just fighting the good fight against injustice where goodness triumphs over evil allowing us to be free? This is the stuff that dreams are made of and are no strangers to Jewish life. Too often as history’s victims, we have clung to a vision of God’s redemption, our return to our homeland and the ushering in of the messianic era.
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We are far from living in a messianic era in which justice is applied equally regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual preference, national origin or age. Justice delayed is certainly justice denied and the racism we have been witnessing these days dating back to the institution of slavery on America’s shores some 400 years ago constitutes an intolerable delay.
Racism, along with other forms of bigotry are a disease, viruses of a different kind and they are endemic to American life. Slavery and its corresponding scourge of racism continue to be a stain on our nation’s soul and in this sense, we all bear some responsibility though we may not be individually guilty. |
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We should be outraged by the president’s threat to move U.S. Military forces into our cities, on our streets, essentially pitting members of the U.S. Armed forces against the very citizens they are charged to protect. We should be enraged by the forceful and violent removal of peaceful protestors from Lafayette Park so the president could stage a photo op in front of a church while holding a Bible as a prop. Outrageous! Reprehensible! Sacrilegious! The inherent and constitutionally protected right to free speech and to assemble in protest is a hallmark of what makes America, America. Dissent is the highest expression of patriotism. As Thomas Paine said, “It is the responsibility of the patriot to protect his country from its government.”
No reasonable person is in favor of theft but our opposition to criminal, wanton acts of violence and looting should not obscure what is at stake during these days nor can those criminal acts justify in any way gassing constitutionally protected, peaceful protesters who are assembled.
This is an obvious abuse of power opportunistically exercised by an autocratic president who is willing to use and weaponize religion motivated by his own self-interest.
"Justice, justice shall you pursue so you will live," commands God (Deuteronomy 16:20). This Biblical verse does not resort to reliance upon the emergence of supernatural beings sent by God to save us. We are the agents of God; we are the ones who are heaven-sent to repair our world. The world is what we make of it. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, a champion of Civil Rights once wrote, "Morally speaking, there is no limit to the concern one must feel for the suffering of human beings. Indifference to evil is worse than evil itself, that in a free society, some are guilty, but all are responsible."
We are witnesses and actors in a world crying out for justice. So, become the change you wish to see in the world as Mahatma Gandhi advised. This is our responsibility and this is the charge given to every human being. Be a part of the change this movement requires understanding we are always stronger together. Our American tapestry of diversity only increases our strength.
We mourn together with the families who have lost loved ones because of police brutality and other acts of racism, bigotry, and anti-Semitism.
O God, we pray for Your help in healing the fissures dividing us. Enable us to recognize and feel the common humanity among us all. Guide us as we move to create a world of healing, justice, and peace. Amen.
No reasonable person is in favor of theft but our opposition to criminal, wanton acts of violence and looting should not obscure what is at stake during these days nor can those criminal acts justify in any way gassing constitutionally protected, peaceful protesters who are assembled.
This is an obvious abuse of power opportunistically exercised by an autocratic president who is willing to use and weaponize religion motivated by his own self-interest.
"Justice, justice shall you pursue so you will live," commands God (Deuteronomy 16:20). This Biblical verse does not resort to reliance upon the emergence of supernatural beings sent by God to save us. We are the agents of God; we are the ones who are heaven-sent to repair our world. The world is what we make of it. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, a champion of Civil Rights once wrote, "Morally speaking, there is no limit to the concern one must feel for the suffering of human beings. Indifference to evil is worse than evil itself, that in a free society, some are guilty, but all are responsible."
We are witnesses and actors in a world crying out for justice. So, become the change you wish to see in the world as Mahatma Gandhi advised. This is our responsibility and this is the charge given to every human being. Be a part of the change this movement requires understanding we are always stronger together. Our American tapestry of diversity only increases our strength.
We mourn together with the families who have lost loved ones because of police brutality and other acts of racism, bigotry, and anti-Semitism.
O God, we pray for Your help in healing the fissures dividing us. Enable us to recognize and feel the common humanity among us all. Guide us as we move to create a world of healing, justice, and peace. Amen.
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Keyn Yehi Ratzon. So may it Be God’s will.
Amen. Warmly, Rabbi Debra Nesselson June 4, 2020 |
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