Dear Kehillat Israel Members,

We are all in a state of shock at the violent chaos that is even now engulfing the heart of our democracy. Violent protestors have stormed the Capitol building and violated its inner sancta. The Temple of Democracy is under assault. And we watch, wondering what this means for us, for our families and communities, and for our country.

We turn to our holy writings to seek spiritual succor and find resilience at times like this.

The Book of Chronicles records the conclusion of Solomon’s construction of the Temple, the spiritual and political capitol of ancient Israel. At its conclusion, God appears to Solomon and says “When My people, who bear My name, humble themselves, pray, and seek My favor and turn from their evil ways, I will hear in My heavenly abode and forgive their sins and heal their land.”

So too are we at the conclusion of the building of a new government in this country, a secular analog to the construction of the Temple, and we must now pray that we as a nation heed these words. May our land be healed.

—
Rabbi Matthew Kaufman, PhD
(he/him/his)
Congregation Kehillat Israel
2014 Forest Road
Lansing, MI 48910
(517) 882-0049