Finding our Role &. our Humanity

Dear BMC Family,

“May Hashem bless you and keep you!
May Hashem deal kindly and graciously with you!
May Hashem bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!”

These are words given to Aaron by Hashem to bless the Israelites, the words of Birkat Kohanim, the priestly benediction. This blessing is used in a variety of services and holy moments in modern Jewish practice, and can be sourced from this week’s parasha Nasso. 

As much of our country continues to seek justice in the wake of cases like George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless more throughout our history, we ask you to join us in holding these words in your heart for those families and communities affected, for those striving for humanity amongst the madness, and for people working to facilitate lasting cultural and political change.

Another source Pirkei Avot, translated as Ethics of our Fathers, says "It is not your responsibility to finish the work [of perfecting the world], but you are not free to desist from it either." Seeking out perfect solutions or a clear end to something as abstract as systemic bias is undoubtedly an impossible task to weigh one’s actions against. Especially in an environment of endless information and opinions, it’s easy to become overstimulated and even feel like work is  done through media consumption. 

Yet we must work to discover our roles in this rapidly evolving conversation, finding ways to support messages we believe in, and helping to set the example by maintaining our humanity in public and private forums. We will not benefit from losing to anger ourselves and our ability to critically think.

And we must ask questions. Can we be more curious? Can we be better than we were yesterday? Can we grow understanding more deeply for others, and learn how to better manifest our values into actions in the world?

Continuing to wish you safety and health, and sending a רְפוּאָה שְׁלֵמָה (r’fuah shlema, full recovery) to anyone currently in need.

For those in our community who have experienced loss at this time, 

המקום ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים

Hamakom yenakhem etekhem betokh shaar avelay tziyon viyrushalayim.

May Hashem comfort you among the rest of the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Shabbat Shalom, 

BMC Team