Monday, April 22, 2013

Bless Those Who Ran Toward the Trouble, Not Away

A very touching piece from Rabbi Shai Held, writing in Tablet:


"Faced with a situation that makes us stare the depth and extent of out vulnerability in the face, most of us want to flee. Here, then, is Judaism’s message: You want to serve God? Run towards the very people and places you most want to run away from. You want to be religious? Learn to be present for other people when they are in pain. All the rest is commentary."

"This is what first responders do."

"Without calling attention to themselves or congratulating themselves, they run towards human suffering instead of running away from it. To walk in God’s ways is to walk in their ways, too—towards people in pain and not away from them."