fbpx

A Moment in Time: Where is Your Voice in the Narrative?

[additional-authors]
June 1, 2016

Dear all,

Ron and I recently went to a Roman Vishniac photo exhibit.  I was moved by this one particular image (above) of young boys studying in cheder.  So I took a photo
of the photo (yes, it was permitted)!

Now, as I look at the new picture, I see my own reflection looking on with the boys. 
And it makes me think….  We all get to participate in their conversation.

These texts belong to us.  They are our story, our history, and our future.  They
don't belong only to those who make a life of study.  They belong to us.  And our voices are in the narrative.

Each of us has a Jewish text or passage that is personally meaningful.

Own It.
Embrace it. 
Imagine the voices that quoted it in the past. 

And for a moment in time, remember that your voice has a holy place in the
narrative as well.


With love and Shalom,


Rabbi Zach Shapiro

Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

Latest Articles

A Ka’ak By Any Other Name

A symbol of hospitality, families bake batches for holidays, family celebrations and visits with friends and relatives.

The Story That Never Goes Away

Rachel Goldberg-Polin, mother of slain hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, can’t stop speaking about her pain and the public love her body cannot always receive. She talks to the Journal about her son’s legacy and her new book.

Rosner’s Domain | A Dime-Store Abe: The Karhi Crisis

This week’s “Constitutional Crisis” is typical of the way the government operates. It issues a statement, or a tweet and then walks it back. Oops, we did not mean it. Or rather, we did, but we also meant to deny that we did.

Why Can’t We Be Friends?

If we want to see a less polarized society, both internally and beyond, we must emphatically reject the idea that political alignment is the predominant commonality for friendship.

Ruth-less, the Enigma of a Name

Jews spoke in two voices about Ruth, a kind of national schizophrenia, one with joyous chanting on Shavuos as the Book of Ruth was read; the other, removing her name from the chain-link of repeated names throughout the generations.

Honoring My Father: Saying Kaddish with Men

Saying kaddish every day tested my faith and commitment. It made me realize that there is no room for excuses. It taught me how to show up. It taught me that my voice can be heard, even when not expected.

The Yiddish Letter of American Liberty

Phillips’ letter – with its faith in Congress’ Declaration – now sits in display not far from the Liberty Bell and its inscription from the biblical book of Leviticus.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.