| The foolish do not know the ignorant to not understand this though evil seems to flourish like weeds springing up, vigorous, in every corner it will not last God is above all; God is what lasts. That which hates truth and light will fall all that is the enemy of goodness will perish, and crumble away into dust. – Psalm 92 Shalom Shir Tikvah companions, The news from our national capital, that a pro-Trump violent mob has breached the U.S. Capitol, is frightening and horrifying. This mob, at the urging of the outgoing, defeated U.S. President, have caused the evacuation of both House and Senate chambers and disrupted the Electoral College vote. They insist that the election was corrupt and are demanding the vote be stopped. At least one person has been shot and seriously wounded. All we can do is to watch and pray for the peace of our nation and the well being of those who are tasked with guarding the democratic process upon which we all depend for our lives and welfare. The state National Guard has been called; we have no reason to believe that the electoral process will be stopped. But we know now that the evil that has been unleashed in our nation is not going to quietly ebb away. There is so much more that we are going to have to strengthen ourselves, to survive and to act toward the healing of our society. We dare not underestimate the danger of the hatred and lawlessness encouraged by the outgoing President. We see it not only nationally but locally. Let it not overwhelm us – we are an ancient people who have lived in more than one nation, and affected by more than one historic event. Focus on that which you love, that which you know you can trust, and the trust and the love we share and know to be real. My companions, let’s remember what our teacher Elie Weisel once said: we as Jews are vulnerable, but we must not be alone. Reach out to those you know in our community and beyond. Do what you can to console and strengthen others, and you will find your own soul strengthened. Let’s hold hands and watch together; let’s hold on to each other and keep believing in the words of Psalm 92 we chant every Shabbat morning: Look up and see that evil cannot last listen and hear then end of meaningless suffering hazak hazak v’nithazek – let us be strong and hold on to each other! |
Torah for the 21st Century by Rabbi Ariel Stone
תּוֹרָה הִיא, וְלִלְמוֹד אֲנִי צָרִיךְ This too is Torah, and I need to learn it – BT Berakhot 62a
Torah for the 21st Century by Rabbi Ariel Stone 
An awful day.