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Now What?

11/01/2019 01:25:12 PM

Nov1

Rabbi Jeffrey Myers

The national and international media have left town.  The television, print and online stories have nearly ceased.  Every one of them told their story, and now is the calm and cleanup after the storm.  I remember an article in the NY Times on February 14 of this year, reflecting on the first-year mark in Parkland.  A student asked this question: When do we get the time to mourn? What an astute question, equally applicable to us.  When do we mourn? How do we mourn?

Each of us struggles to integrate the harsh realities of October 27 into our beings, to seek answers as to what the new normal should look like.  Sometimes our search yields more questions than answers. It would be arrogant of me to suggest that I have all the answers.

The Jewish people have witnessed the rise and fall of major civilizations: Egypt, Babylonia, Persia, Greece, Rome and Nazi Germany, to name some.  Each one corroded from the inside out. The teachings of the Torah were the antithesis to their foundations, an anathema to their values. We insist on a respect for all living creatures and a moral and ethical way of life.

Our response must be an even louder call for moral and ethical behavior from all people, perfectly embodied in the immortal words of Rabbi Hillel: That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow.  It is not called The Golden Rule by accident. Stop the H by drowning it with the good. They told their story.  Let us tell our story.  Stop the H.

Fri, March 29 2024 19 Adar II 5784