Defying the Tyrants
Dear Friends,
This week’s Torah portion, Bo - Come Toward,
continues to reveal the devastation
that results from tyrannical leadership,
the cruelty that comes from hearts hardened by fear,
prejudice, arrogance and indifference.
As we struggle with the tyrants of our day,
it can be a great challenge
not to allow our own hearts to harden in return
but instead, to defy the oppressors
by being open, compassionate,
generous, honest and true.
We read that when our ancestors
were preparing to leave Egypt
they put blood on their doorposts -
a sign of protection
and an indication of the blood
that would continue to be shed.
Today we put words on our doorposts
to protect us from hardening our hearts
and to guide us in building a world
in which tyrants fall,
and freedom, justice and goodness prevail.
In the mezuzah it says:
Shema Ve’ahavta - Listen and Love
Listen as you wrestle with life.
The Infinite Mystery is in all.
The Infinite Mystery is One.
And love.
Love with all you heart, all your soul
and all your strength.
Place the call to love upon your heart.
Teach the call to love to your children.
Speak from love in your home
and as you walk on your way.
Take love with you as you lie down and as you rise up.
Carry love in your hands,
Place love before your eyes,
Inscribe love upon your gates.
Listen deeply
so that you will love
and serve the Infinite Unfolding of Life
with all your heart and soul.
Listen deeply,
so you will know how to live in harmony with all creation
and not be seduced into serving false gods.
Place words upon your heart,
upon your soul, in your hands and before your eyes
that will help you remember
you are here in relationship with all
and how you live
will create the world for generations to come.
Act for the benefit of all.
Act so as to leave a bountiful and gracious land
for those who will call you ancestor.
Deut 6:4-9, 11:13-21
May this call awaken our strength
And encourage our souls.
May our hearts be strong and filled with courage.
Let us never give up hope.
Shalom,
Rabbi Yael