Yesterday, I was driving to work and I stopped at a red light. I looked at the school bus in front of me and noticed the student looking back at me holding up two fingers in a peace sign. As I mirrored back in response I took the wayback machine to the early 70s when I used to kneel on the backseat of my parent’s car showing the same sign.
It was the time of Nixon, Watergate, the aftermath of the Vietnam War, and political unrest. Perhaps I experienced the Sound of Silence embodied in the silent generation of my parents who were disconnected from the world.
I was a latchkey kid. Today is my mom’s 50-year yahrzeit. My brother and I basically raised ourselves listening to the music of Classic Rock. It was the sound of the 60s through the lens of the “Greed is Good” 80s.
Time is cyclical. As we read Torah each year the same themes appear in different ways. Just as the Israelites wanted to return to Egypt when things got hard some Americans want Mayberry. Their memories are tinged with a false sense of nostalgia and privilege. They can’t get past the quail sticking out of their teeth.
I find the metaphor of the wilderness to be invaluable for personal and spiritual growth. At the same time I hold the tension of the seemingly autocratic divine directive of the scouts. I am challenged and disappointed that we and perhaps God have not yet found our way out of the wandering.
We are plagued by plagues, global warming, and the marginalization of the other. We see the social action initiatives that we thought addressed only to be reversed and annulled. The warriors who fought for social justice lost their relevance as laws overturned and shadows of fear draped over rear view windows. Where is the cloud? Do we just store our photos there?
When it gets hard some retreat, blame, complain, and point fingers. Some feel justified in raising stones. How many times must our leaders fall on their faces as we sit in our sackcloths? We are killing politicians and rounding up people in 2025.
Abraham, Martin, and John where have they gone? What’s Going on, Marvin Gaye? Neil, I am feeling the heaviness of four dead in Ohio.
These are complicated times and I find solace in community. As in Torah we entrust our leaders to represent us. Sometimes we give up freedoms in an effort to feel safe.
Sometimes that safety is an illusion.
Imagine, John…
Where are our circumcised hearts?
Thank you Cindy for sharing this. There has been so much retreating, blaming, complaining, and finger pointing, and even casting stones. Some of the recent marches and gatherings have given me hope that there are others who share my values. At the same time, it is so hard to find the way to “do something” that actually will make a difference. I recently was able to overcome my fears and take a stand in a public way. I will take courage from your column and try to do more.