By Rabbi Ben Kamin
SAN DIEGO–Spirits droop these days—there are mass shootings, racial flare-ups, and governmental genocides in Syria and elsewhere. We live with a sense of vulnerability as the climate behaves capriciously. Less dangerous but still burdensome, we endure an endless political polarization here in America that drives the presidential campaign, which also feels interminable. There’s tawdriness, and some darkness out there.
So let’s turn to the rabbinic tradition for a little hope and insight, not to mention some refreshing perspective. Three rabbis were sharing in a dissertation: how do you know when the night officially ends and the morning actually begins? The first sage offered: “That’s easy. Night ends and morning begins when you note the first thin strand of light on the horizon.” They couldn’t agree on that, given that some might discern light even when it remains essentially dark outside.
The second teacher said: “Night ends and morning begins when you can tell the difference between a blue thread and a purple thread.” Not bad, they shook their heads in appreciation and liking. But let’s discuss it some more, they assented. The third rabbi, who was the youngest, and had been to war, was thinking about his small children and how they might grow up in a sometimes comprehensible world. He gently cleared his throat. May I speak? The elder two smiled with approval, waiting to hear from their “novice.”
“The night ends and the morning begins when I can see the face of my brother.”
The circle fell silent and then the men began to pray.
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Rabbi Kamin is a freelance writer based in San Diego. He may be contacted at ben.kamin@sdjewishworld.com