Rabbi's Desk

How apropos that we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. the very week that we read a Torah portion recounting the persecution of the Hebrews and the abuse they endured at the hands of the Egyptians. One can’t help but marvel at the similarities in leadership styles between MLK and Moses, our teacher. Both men were exceedingly humble yet inspired millions by their example.

Dr. King once said:

I don’t want a long funeral. And if you get somebody to deliver the eulogy, tell them not to talk too long… Tell them not to mention that I have a Nobel Peace Price, that isn’t important. Tell them not to mention that I have three of four hundred other awards, that’s not important. Tell them not to mention where I went to school. I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity…

Moses, the greatest leader the Jewish people has ever known, was also the most modest by comparison. From choosing to save the life of a fellow human being over living the life of luxury in the Egyptian palace, to unsuccessfully arguing before God that that he was not the right man for the job of approaching Pharaoh, insisting “Let my people go” and leading the Israelites to freedom.

Both leaders showed the world that while tyrants will forever try to enslave and persecute, no human being can ever be another’s servant. Moses & MLK liberated the minds of the downtrodden, giving them the emotional tools and political ability to rise from their oppression. The ideals they defended are echoed in the immortal words of Thomas Jefferson and the U.S. Declaration of Independence, that “All men are created equal.”

Jefferson, like Moses and MLK before him, recognized that equality is more than just an American value or a Jewish value but equality among people is fundamental to the creation of the world. The first chapter of Genesis records the creation of all humankind as beingבצלמו (In God’s image). Similarly, the penultimate chapter of Deuteronomy reads, אַף חֹבֵב עַמִּים (God loves all peoples). All the lessons in-between teach us to be decent and humble individuals who care about others’ wellbeing, feel empathy for their suffering, and become champions for the exploited.

In that vein, I encourage you to participate, as a proud HTAA delegate, in the upcoming Montgomery County MLK Day of Service on Monday, January 18th. As a group, we will join thousands of other volunteers from across the county in the 100,000 Meal Project.

This Shabbat, let us be inspired by the legacy of Dr. King, the humble leadership of Moses, and God’s desire for us to make a difference in the social wellbeing of all people and peoples.

Wishing you and your family a peaceful and restful Shabbat.

See you in Shul!

Rabbi Suson