10/12/2024

My dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

                  Atonement! That’s what’s on the minds of every Jewish person on the planet today when they “torture their souls” so they can be cleansed of their sins. Unitha Cherry (UC), writing in the Forward, noted the concept of pikuach nefeshmis central to her observance of the day. It’s the idea that “that human life is sacred & should be protected.” Given “the vast devastation of the Israel-Hamas war” she laments that she has “not done enough to protect life or advocate against the suffering surrounding us.”

                  As I enact my daily vigil of watching your presidency & monitoring the situation in Burma, I feel that way, too. As UC notes, “the scale of misery means that many of us feel an unshakeable weight of having failed in our responsibilities.” 

                  I found UC’s first paragraph particularly compelling, when she asks, “If God, creator of all, can forgive me, who am I to hold a grudge against my neighbor?” I wonder how I can share that wisdom with the folks in my community.  I’d love to see them get past their grievances so they can be at ease with one another? Any suggestions?

                  What do you need to atone for? As I ponder my own atoning, I like to think that I have not caused harm, but I may not be aware of my effect on people. I often forget that my title, Professor, intimidates some. I have committed sins of omission, when I fail to act on a generous impulse because it feels too risky or I fail to reach out to someone in need, because I’m too lazy. I will try to do better.

                  As my BFF has suggested recently, pausing before reacting can prevent regrettable actions & statements. I will try to heed that, too, & encourage you to do the same.

                  G'mar chatima tovah,

                  BYBS,