When We Love Our Children More...

Shalom my friends!

Today I have been trying to focus on the Book of Leviticus, or Vayikra in Hebrew.  After all, we begin the Book of Leviticus this Shabbat.  My sermon is written and I am trying to figure out what part of the Torah I would like to read to the congregation during our service on Friday.  Although, as usual, it seems I am distracted by so many things.  News articles that speak of laws to protect our pets...people arguing over "Walk Out" or "Walk Up...."the NCAA tournament beginning. 

The truth is this - our children are the absolute most important.  Protecting our children should be our #1 priority.  I am not trying to take a side on the whole "gun-control" debate.  What I am hoping is to bring the focus to our children.  Everyone loves our children; there should never be any doubt about that.  Sure - we may have very different ideas on how to accomplish this.  But, if someone suggests that our children aren't being loved - I just can't agree.  I refuse to believe that people do not love our children.  Surely people know that without our children, we have no future...

Last night, I had the honor and privilege to teach/speak about Judaism at the 2nd Presbyterian Church.  One of the ministers had her baby in the session.  At one point, the baby became a little restless and started to cry oh so quietly.  The minister took her son out of the room.  When she returned, I told her she was not to leave the room again with her son.  Her son is the future of their Church and he should always feel welcome...if he cries a little, so be it.  We need to hear the sounds of our children, no matter how loud or "annoying" we may think they are.  I love the cries of a child - it helps me to focus on what is really important.

During Golda Meir's leadership, she made a very important statement regarding peace between Israel and her neighbors, "Peace will come when the Arabs will love their children more than they hate us..."  There is so much truth in what she said.  

When we are truly able to look across "the aisle" and see the humanity and the wonder in everyone, even those we disagree with, we can begin to discuss.  I am not suggesting that the answers to all of our questions/quandaries/disagreements will end quickly.  What I am saying is that we can never reach agreements or solutions until we come together and recognize each other as equals - and that we really do have the same goals.

We all need to recognize our love for our children - and that should be our starting point.