[shashin type=”photo” id=”4651″ size=”medium” columns=”1″ order=”user” position=”right”]Dear Friends,
I was happy to learn that our twin congregation, Beth Torah, is holding a “Choose Life” Ramadan event. At these days, when religion can serve as the motivator for war and killing, it is great to hear that Muslims and Jews can gather together to mark one of the core values of both religions: the importance of life and maintaining life.
Today in the Jewish tradition we mark the destruction of the temple. Our tradition tells us that while the destruction of the first temple was due to violation of the core commandments, the second was destroyed due to שנאת חינם – sin’at hinam – unjustified hatred. That signifies how negatively G-D views unjustified hatred.
Your gathering here in Richardson, as well as many gatherings in Israel in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Kalanswa and many more places, and in other places around the world: Kuwait, London, Paris, NY and many more; is a symbol that we understand that religion is about life. It is about love, and caring, and avoiding causing harm and pain to another human beings. When Hillel was asked to explain Judaism standing on one foot he said: don’t do to another what is hated by yourself.
Your gathering here tonight and our gathering in Israel and many other places are a statement: we are committed to create a world that will prevent unjustified hatred.
עושה שלום במרומיו הוא יעשה שלום עלינו ועל כל ישראל ועל כל יושבי תבל ועל כל העולם ואמרו – אמן Ose shalom bimromav hu yaase shalon aleinu veal kol yisrael veal kol yoshvey tevel veal kol haolam veimru amen.
Rabbi Avi Novis-Deutsch
Kfar Veradim Israel
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