Recently, a Temple Beth-El study group which I lead read Chapter 6, verse 8 from the book of the prophet Micah. These words may be familiar to you: “It has been told you, O mortal, what is good, and what the Eternal One requires of you: only to do justly, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.”
Six years ago, that verse served as the centerpiece of a discussion I facilitated for Temple Beth-El congregants.
Participants first had the opportunity to comment on each of the three parts of Micah’s statement.
They explained that “to do justly” expresses the societal principle of equality of opportunity, along with the elimination of obstacles to equality. There was an acknowledgment that not everyone sees justice from the same perspective, but it is through justice (in the legal, personal, cultural and social realms) and fairness that we survive as a community.
We discussed how Jewish commentators explained that “love kindness” actually means that people should perform acts of kindness with a whole heart and a generous spirit. This can refer to charitable giving or to helping people in all sorts of significant ways.
Participants in that conversation noted that we “walk humbly/modestly with God” when we listen to other people and see the divine spark in everyone, recognizing our common humanity. One person commented, “Practicing justice, love, kindness and mercy ensures that you will walk humbly, modestly and wisely.”
I believe that we are doing justly, practicing kindness, and walking humbly as we respond to the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of us, in some way, have answered the call to provide support and comfort for those who are ill and for their family members, to donate supplies to people in need, and to hold up, as much as we are able, individuals who need financial help due to loss of or reduction in their income.
Micah’s proclamation has the power to bring us close together, encouraging us to overcome our differences so that we can discover what we hold in common. Some people may believe that the divisiveness and polarization which, too often, rule the day, precludes such a possibility.
The recent death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (may her memory be for blessing, we say in the Jewish tradition after a person has died) offered a reminder of how two people, who were usually vociferous opponents in their judicial approaches and opinions, could forge common ground.
Justice Ginsburg’s friendship with the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was based on their shared love of opera, and, just as much, on the judicial expertise, which they each possessed, that made them worthy adversaries.
In her eulogy for Justice Scalia in 2016, Justice Ginsburg said, “Once asked how we could be friends, given our disagreement on lots of things, Justice Scalia answered: ‘I attack ideas. I don't attack people.’”
Justice Ginsburg concluded: “I will miss the challenges and the laughter he provoked, his pungent, eminently quotable opinions, the roses he brought me on my birthday, the chance to appear with him once more as supernumeraries at the opera.”
Perhaps they were friends, also, because the late Justice Ginsburg believed that “We the People” means “all the people.”
Are we capable of such a friendship? I believe so, especially when we seek fairness, act with kindness, and remember that, because we are walking, side-by-side, along the same road, we can be, for each other, beacons of hope.
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