Wishing for peace

Dear Friends,

As I thought about what I would write this week, I decided to share my concerns about the bombing of the bus in Jerusalem. As we mourn another death in the Middle East, we are all saddened whenever there is a tragic loss.

In this week’s Torah reading as we celebrate Shabbat Parah, we read the section about the ritual of purification which is tied into the section dealing with the Red Heifer.(Numbers 19). As we read this portion we wrestle with what it means to perform the ritual which is described. I often wonder what it can take to perform a ritual of purification that could help us rid our world of the violence which has once again reared its ugly head.

I wish we could somehow develop a ritual that would rid us of the causeless hatred that motivates violence in our world. I hope that each of you will join me in prayers for peace and that each of us will recognize that none of us is ever completely free from violence until all of us are freed from potential acts of violence. I hope that those of us who may have influence with folks who can influence policy in the Middle East will urge our contacts to do whatever they can to help build a more peaceful world.

May G-d who makes peace in the Divine world, grant peace to us, to all Israel, and to all humanity.

B’shalom,
Rabbi Bruce Aft

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