Marking Time - Monday, June 21, 2010
Each of us marks time in a variety of ways; glancing at a clock, looking at the bottom of the computer screen while typing, remembering whose wedding, funeral or birthday party we attended when we saw so and so; a
stomach’s grumbling means it’s time to eat and news of a friend’s diagnosis of cancer reminds us it’s time for a physical.
Three thousand years ago the ancient Israelites began to mark time in a very particular fashion. Daily communal worship was instituted. A sacrifice was presented in order to connect the entire community with God and each other. Psalms were sung to elevate the spirit of the community. For 3,000 years these words have been recited without interruption by Jewish people in private prayer or attending congregational worship. Every weekday has its own Psalm. Psalm 24 is recited on Sunday, Psalm 48 on Monday, then Psalm 82 for Tuesday and so on with Psalm 94, Psalm 81, Psalm 93 – all of which round out the ordinary days. We reserve Psalm 92 for the Jewish Sabbath. How uplifting! Every day has its own special message. I like Thursday’s Psalm. Approaching the weekend, some of the challenges and work of the week have been addressed and I anticipate Shabbat, which is rest time. A phrase from Thursday’s Psalm reads, “I remove the burden from your shoulder and your hands were freed from carrying the load.” It is almost as if I can feel just a bit of the burden of the week being removed from me. Other Psalms jump out at me as well. Words from centuries gone by encourage me during times of questioning, reassure me during times of frustration, uplift me during low points and calm me when I am nervous or agitated.
I have never liked Wednesday’s Psalm. For over 35 years I have been reciting the daily prayer system. For perhaps 8 or 10 years I stopped saying Wednesday’s Psalm because it was too troubling. It opens with the phrase, “God of retribution appear, give the arrogant what they deserve.” I do not view God as a God of retribution. God is creator and source of beauty in the world. God inspires us to care for others and redeem society from that which is violent.
Far too many people have claimed God as their advocate for bringing destruction, cruelty and terror into daily life. Far too many people have claimed God as the legitimation of their own plans to terrorize, victimize and oppress others.
In the ancient days a minuscule band of Israelites was fighting for its very survival against large numbers of Canaanites and Philistines. During the Bronze Age survival was dependent upon your wits, the strength of your sword and how well you held your shield. “God of retribution” was as essential as getting up every morning. “God of retribution” was as necessary as drinking water to survive.
The Psalmist did not know people who donned explosive vests or who stole aircraft and flew them into buildings with the sole purpose of destroying thousands of innocent civilians.
I cannot proclaim “God of retribution” in my world. And I struggle with understanding how to share the world with people who are not law abiding. How do I take my daily steps knowing there are people who want to destroy me because I am an American and a Jew? I struggle to overcome a knee-jerk reaction of violence against people who have sworn to my demise and the demise of nearly all who read this column. Logic tells me to protect myself and my loved ones. Logic also dictates that not all people of a particular religious tradition are a threat to America, Europe and Rockwell’s Four Freedoms.
I am reminded of an ancient Talmudic text. Rabbi Meir, one of the greatest of our Sages, was attacked by marauding brigands. Barely escaping with his life, he made it home and explained his ordeal to his wife. Eventually, after recovering from his injuries, he resumed his prayers. His wife overheard him pray that God would destroy the wicked ones. She approached him and said to him, “Would it not be better to pray for God to destroy wickedness?”
Some years ago I resumed praying the Wednesday Psalm, not because I “like” it, but because it is necessary. Its words force me to not live with a utopian, Kumbaya view. There will be enemies in the world until a day when “they love of their children more than they hate us” – to quote Golda Meir, the Israeli Prime Minister speaking of Arab aggression.
As our world appears to be ever-more fragmented along lines of religious discord (between extremist Islam and “The West”) I also ask God to respond.
Perhaps that is why Tuesday’s Psalm is my favorite; “Arise, God, and bring justice into the world. Rescue and save the victimized one from the wicked.” I cannot pray that God do harm or that God inspire you and me to do violence. However, I do pray for open eyes and wisdom to discern an enemy such that I can protect my neighbor and me. I do pray that God will be a source of wisdom and strength for all who are just!
Let us all so pray,
Rabbi Steven Silberman
Congregation Ahavas Chesed
P. O. Box 850804
Mobile, AL 36685-0804
251-343-6010