David Adler is a younger man launched into one of many vessels of the World Sumud Flotilla. Two days in the past, whereas the flotilla was approaching the Gazan waters — which Israel treats as its personal territorial waters — David wrote an open letter about his Jewishness on this context and within the context of Yom Kippur, the “day of atonement” within the Jewish faith.
In his open letter, he writes in regards to the essence of Yom Kippur, that’s, a day devoted to reflecting on one’s personal errors and the way the breaches that one has made could possibly be repaired, so the material of 1’s relationships — the material of the entire society — might develop into complete once more.
Writing thus within the spirit of tikkun olam, David asks: How can we presumably take critically our mandate to heal the world when the State of Israel is so decided to destroy it?
Remembering the “obligation” bestowed upon Jews by the Torah: “Justice, justice you shall pursue!” he says: I joined this flotilla identical to every other delegate — to defend humanity, earlier than it’s too late. However on Yom Kippur, I’m reminded that I’m additionally right here as a result of my Jewish heritage calls for it.
Then David acknowledges his household heritage within the individual of his grandfather, who joined the Parisian resistance towards the Nazis, and acknowledges that the identical genocidal rage that focused my ancestors is now taken up by its principal victims.
Yom Kippur is a day of fasting, however David can not neglect that the Palestinians of Gaza are compelled to quick. Yom Kippur is a day of atonement, however David reminds his readers that atonement means motion; it doesn’t imply fasting in consolation whereas ravenous your neighbors.
David’s letter ends with a plea: In order the solar units tonight, and the fasting begins, I hope that fellow Jews will be a part of me in redefining their strategy to atonement — along with silent prayer, and towards brave motion to place an finish to this horrific genocide. G’mar chatima tova.
The world is lucky that there are folks like David. Younger folks of integrity, braveness, and imaginative and prescient.
Might the individuals who govern that state of Israel, and those that help them, be completely ashamed. Might their plans fail. Might their honor be trashed eternally. Might their disgraceful travesty of Judaism be condemned by all.
Might Judaism be saved, along with the ravenous folks of Palestine, and stay a blessing to the world.
Might all of the victims, Palestinians and Jews, relaxation in peace, and will there be peace with justice for all. Amen.
Banner Picture: Olive timber, historic emblem of Palestine: bulldozed by tanks in Gaza (picture by RafahKid) and thriving in Israel (picture by Wes Bolton). On Flickr.
Queries for Contemplation
What’s your function in tikkun olam (making issues complete once more) at the moment in your life and within the lifetime of the world?
Advisable Studying
Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Reworking Evil in Soul and Society
Trump & The MAGA Motion as Anti-Christ: A Handbook for the 2024 Election
A Spirituality Named Compassion: Uniting Mystical Consciousness with Social Justice
Creation Spirituality: Liberating Presents for the Peoples of the Earth
Occupy Spirituality: A Radical Imaginative and prescient for a New Technology
Prayer: A Radical Response to Life
