The Jewish people are Western civilizations first "People of the Book." Beginning with Torah, the accumulated wisdom of 3,500 years of Jewish civilization offer plenty of words to live by. That very phrase – "words to live by" – traces its roots to this week's Torah portion. The phrase is so common that we rarely stop to consider what it means to "live by" words. That question is very much on my mind and heart this week – during this pivotal time for our people, our planet, democracy and our justice system – when so very much hangs in the balance. |
Rabbi David offered clarion-call words of blessing at the Interfaith Council's "Longest Night" memorial tribute, honoring the homeless and unseen who died on our local streets in the year 2023. The Interfaith Council of Southwestern Connecticut unites faith leaders and faith communities in common cause on matters of spirit-infused care and advocacy.
By Rabbi David Evan Markus
Matot-Masei 5783 (2023) We've heard it over and over, like the opening of Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." Depending on where we look around us, we see either beauty or devastation, despair or hope. Now is exactly the time that Torah, and our spiritual calendar, call us to begin seeing it all so that we can begin healing it. We need to see where we've been to know where we're going. |