Dear TBZ community:
I spent Election Day in South Thomaston, Maine. South Thomaston is a little town of 1600 residents, 1300 who are registered to vote. 1006 people voted. Even before the election results were tallied, all around me I could see by the lawn signs, the placards, the red and the blue, that this small town was divided in their politics and would be divided in their vote.
During the quieter times of my day in South Thomaston, I talked and schmoozed with the town clerk, the town warden and the poll workers. The amount of effort that they all put into making sure that every person could vote and every vote would be counted was impressive. We celebrated voter number 1000 -- a young man who initially wasn’t sure if he would make it to the polls because of a work conflict but arrived, voted, and was pleased to be celebrated as the 1000th voter. I spent Election Day with people, some of whom believed in very different things than me; people who were kind, and who, like me, were proud to celebrate this day of democracy in action.
Late that night, as I was driving back from South Thomaston, I thought about the people I had met, about their lives, about their families, and I struggled to understand how it was possible that many of these kind and dedicated people, and with them, almost half of our country made the choice to vote for a man who disparages, who lies, who separates children from their parents, who degrades women, scorns immigrants, ridicules people with disabilities, stokes racism, and who is responsible for the death of more than two hundred thousand people. I struggle to understand.
As I write this, it is not clear yet who will be president of this country, but the reality is that even if the outcome is one that makes us hopeful for the future with new leadership that is moral, that can lead us to be a better country, that treats the most vulnerable with justice and that guides us through these turbulent times, the greater pain in this moment is the recognition of the deep divisions in this country and the shock of who we are as a society.
In this week's parsha, Vayera, we read about Abraham arguing with God, trying to convince God not to kill all those living in Sodom and Gomorrah.
We read in Genesis 18:23:
וַיִּגַּ֥שׁ אַבְרָהָ֖ם וַיֹּאמַ֑ר הַאַ֣ף תִּסְפֶּ֔ה צַדִּ֖יק עִם־רָשָֽׁע
Abraham came forward and said,
“Will You sweep away the innocent along with the guilty?
Abraham argues and negotiates with God trying to convince God that even if there are but a few good people, God should not destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham’s willingness to argue with God is one of the reasons he was a great leader, and perhaps the reason that he became our first patriarch in contrast with Noah, who did not argue for the life of the people on earth before the flood. Abraham is willing to stand up to believe that humanity is better than what seems.
The first word of this verse, וַיִּגַּ֥שׁ - Vayigash - means to came forward, to come near, to come close. This word is used in different places in the Torah to speak about moments of reaching out, of coming closer.
In Genesis 44:18 we find the word Vayigash וַיִּגַּ֥שׁ used when Judah comes forward, comes nearer, to Joseph. We witness Joseph’s heart opening when Judah, who does not know he is speaking to his long lost brother, the brother he had sold into slavery, begs Joseph to find compassion and allow Benjamin to return home to his father. As Judah speaks he is, in some ways, asking for forgiveness, and it is in this moment of connectedness, of coming nearer, that Joseph is able to reveal himself to his brothers with tears and with forgiveness.
Abraham, in the same way, comes closer to God, believing and arguing that even the sinners of Sodom and Gomorrah should have an opportunity to live because there is goodness to be found. Abraham arguing with God is a testament of his faith in humanity and in possibility. He approaches God, he comes close to God, for the sake of humanity. By coming close to God, he is also approaching and reaching out to those who are about to bring destruction upon themselves.
We pray today for our country, for our future, for this moment that we hope will bring us blessing and some light, but we know that the work doesn't end with a new president, the work continues. We need to be strong and to have courage, be bold in our actions and also deep in our compassion. The work of uprooting bigotry, intolerance, misogyny, racism, discrimination and violence in all its forms is our work, no matter the outcome of the election.
And perhaps more than ever, we must, as Abraham did and as Judah did, have the courage to reach out, to come closer. We have to open our hearts, cry out our mistakes and argue for what is right. We must believe that goodness can be found even in the midst of hatred. The work ahead to build bridges between people - no matter their vote - will be the most important and challenging work ahead.
Join me tonight as we welcome Shabbat together in prayer and community at 5:30 pm (note the new time), as we deepen our commitment to building a more just and peaceful world. We will gather with song, rooted in the basic belief that our world (and our country) is a good place and that each living soul was created in the image of God. Come as you are and rise with us in song and hope. (Information can be found below).
May this Shabbat bring renewal and blessings to all of you
and your loved ones.
May we learn to find in darkness the possibility of
blessing and new beginnings.
May we find strength, courage, and patience, and open
our hearts with generosity.
May all those who are ill find healing.
May we have a joyful and restful Shabbat!
Shabbat Shalom,
