Elul: Fixing ourselves, repairing the world
The powerful have rallies, the oppressed have protests. Ever wonder why that is?
Centuries ago, Nehemiah, the rebuilder of the ancient second Temple led a mixed band of Israelites back to Israel to resettle the land. Some were wealthy, even called nobles, others were poor farmers. Within a short time, the farmers found themselves beholden to those with money. They were immersed in debt, forced (says the Bible) to offer their sons and daughters as slaves to protect what little sources of sustenance they had. So they protested—they marched right up to Nehemiah and shouted their complaints. (Click here for the full story.)
Nehemiah didn’t discount their pleas. He didn’t accuse them of being subversives. Quite the contrary, this ancient Jewish leader said: “It angered me very much to hear their outcry.” He turned to the nobles and challenged their unfair practices; he even raised a large crowd to demonstrate against them.
This is the summer and fall of demonstrations and protests. Tragically there has been destruction and violence as well. That too is the cry of the frustrated and the unheard. Nehemiah teaches that the response of the powerful must be compassionate and merciful. At Wise, we are committed to understanding and responding to the cries of those who take to the streets and peacefully demonstrate. Many of you have marched with them or find their cause just. We hope all will join us after the High Holy Days for a three-part conversation on Judaism and race co-sponsored with The American Jewish Committee so that we might better understand our country’s challenges.
Check out the Elul Eleven page to see what you can do.
— Rabbi Ron Stern
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