A Moment in Time: When Righteousness Flourishes

Dear all,

Ron and I took a day trip a few weeks ago into the mountains. On one particular road, Ron said, “Zach, turn around! I just saw an incredible tree.”

“C’mon, Ron,” I said as I continued driving.

But he insisted.

So I turned around. Lo and behold, here was a tree that found its way out from under a boulder. Indeed, it was worth the u-turn.

I was reminded of a Biblical Psalm that teaches, “The righteous (justice) shall flourish like a palm tree (and) shall thrive like the cedar.” (Ps. 92:13).

Just as it takes wherewithal for a tree to emerge from a rock, so too does it take determination for humanity to harness righteousness in a world with so many challenges.

In the face of the Derek Chauvin verdict, we recognize we have work to do to achieve racial justice.

In the face of Knesset Member, Reform Rabbi Gilad Kariv‘s opposition by the ultra-orthodox establishment, we recognize we have work to do to achieve religious justice.

In the face of a spike in mass shootings in the past month, we recognize we have work to do to achieve social justice.

No, it isn’t an easy road. But when we take a moment in time to confront these real issues, we realize that changing tomorrow often begins with a u-turn today.

With love and Shalom,

Rabbi Zach Shapiro