One Year after, we are still very good - October 25, 2019

B’raysheet - One Year After - October 25, 2019

What is our role in sustaining God’s creation? 

We read in the first portion of the book of Genesis

That God would stop during the process of 

Making the world come to be 

To note that what had been created was TOV good. 

It was not until the two human beings were created

That God used the words TOV M’OD - very good. 

Were the human beings still very good

When they disobeyed the rules of the garden, requiring them to 

Make for themselves a new beginning? 

Were the human beings still very good

When one, whose gift to God had not been accepted

Took his dejection out on his brother through murder,

Only to have God let all of humanity know

Not to seek revenge for that taking of a life? 

Were the human beings still very good 

When the result of their long years of life

With new generations continuously unfolding

Was a world about which God was filled with regret

Because the inclination for action among human beings

Had totally turned to evil, except for one individual?

The answer is yes. 

We are still very good. 

If there is anything that the Tree of Life Synagogue shootings taught us

It’s that, in the face of hatred and violence, 

People are capable of coming together 

in love, compassion, understanding and remembrance. 

We have learned that, in the face of the dehumanization 

that can lead to the taking of lives,

We can unite to reiterate how precious life is

And how significant are the relationships 

Which we create and sustain with each other. 

We are still very good

When we can clearly see our differences 

and realize that all people 

have something positive to add to this world. 

May we know that we are still very good 

When we offer healing to those who are in pain 

Hope to those who are in despair

And the warmth of welcome to those who feel that they have no secure place

In the human family.    

May our hands, hearts, and minds be open to fully embracing one another and this world

And offering blessings from the depth of our souls. 

BARUCH ATAH ADONAI SHEASANU B’TZELEM ELOHIM. 

Blessed are You, Eternal One, who has made us in the divine image: 

Holy, Unique, and Very Good.