The Torah records that as the people of
Israel were leaving Egypt, the Amalekites
attacked them on the way, cutting
down the weak, the stragglers, the famished. This cruelty is to be
remembered and we are commanded to oppose the cruel and heartless - the
“Amalekites” in every generation.
Monday’s attack of the runners of the
Boston Marathon immediately struck a chord.
Whoever did this did not attack the front-runners, those with strong,
tested, athletic bodies, those with powerful strides who crossed the finish
line first. Instead the target was the
“middle section runners” consisting of runners for charities, first time
runners, runners who were a little older, a bit slower, some with physical
challenges to overcome. Cheering them
on, their supporters, friends and family, were at the finish line waiting for
them. Along with these runners and supporters near the point of explosion, was
the VIP section, where first responders and relatives of those killed in the
Newtown Massacre were seated. Seems
there are more and more Amalekites these days, waiting to take advantage of the
vulnerable.
My mind could barely process the news out of
Boston as the events unfolded. Through the afternoon and evening on Monday,
April 15, I listened to the radio coverage and switched rapidly between
Internet sites for details. How many of
the broadcast “details” were fact and how many rumor, had not been established…
but did it really matter? All of us saw
the video clips. Some “one” or some
“thing” had terrorized the city of Boston. The runners and spectators were in
the open, vulnerable, unaware and enjoying life, and a beautiful day, with
friends and family.
Tuesday brought a heightened sense of concern
to cities, governments, and marathon planners all over the world. It also brought gruesome images and stories. But
for me, Tuesday brought a heightened sense of awareness. At 6:30 a.m. I opened
the door so I could hear the morning concert of roosters and hundreds of spring
birds. I put out my feeders and watched
the finches eat thistle. These little
fellows had, in the course of a few weeks, shed their brown winter feathers and
were, once again, “gold” finches. I looked up to the mountain, then walked down
to the river, threw some stones, felt the early morning breeze.
And I thought. I thought about the two blasts and how they
blew out eardrums while I listened to birdsong. I thought about flying shrapnel
blinding eyes, as I looked out at the brilliant yellow of the finches and the
mountain. I thought about their burning flesh, while I felt spring breezes on
my skin. I thought about missing arms, and hands never reaching out to hold or
touch - while I skipped stones. And while I strolled to the river, I dwelt on
the nightmare of so many missing legs – carefully trained legs - that had
carried humans so swiftly for so many miles just minutes before. I thought
about the hundreds of lives, dreams, and aspirations blown apart by some entity
without a conscience, without a soul, incapable of compassion.
What I didn’t do was think about God. Well, that isn’t completely true. But I wasn’t “blaming” and I wasn’t looking
for a “reason” and I wasn’t asking the age old question, “where was God.” That
territory is covered by clergy at the myriad services held after horrific acts
of terror. What I did think about was….
“Did I thank God today for the gifts given to me?” When Jews say the morning prayer upon rising,
“Modeh Ani,” we thank God for
restoring us to life. But are we fully aware of all the gifts that come with
every moment of life? Certainly we are
stunned by lives cut short, but do we pay full attention to our lives as they
are lived?
Judaism teaches that there are always
Amalekites, whether domestic or foreign, ready to cut down the weak that cannot
defend themselves. We may not be able to
control the threat, but we CAN control how we respond to it. And therefore, I fervently hope that all of us
will work very hard to be thankful for each moment, to be thankful for God-given
gifts, and to be thankful that most
of humanity is capable of doing the right thing. Above all, today, and every
day, take the time to be thankful for those you love and for those who love
you.
Modeh (modah) ani lifanekha melekh ḥai v'kayam
sheheḥezarta bi nishmahti b'ḥemlah, rabah emunatekha.
I offer thanks before you, living and eternal King,
for You have mercifully restored my soul within me; Your faithfulness is
great.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Rose Lyn Jacob
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