Intangible Building Blocks - March 12, 2010

Shabbat Shalom!
The Torah reading this week is about the construction of the Tabernacle, the Israelite house of worship in the wilderness. As I sat in sessions at the convention of the Central Conference of American Rabbis in San Francisco this week, I was reminded about the importance of the intangible elements of community. Here are a couple of quick “gems” from my sessions….

From Rabbinic Tradition:
“Those who are kind to those who are cruel end up being cruel to those who are kind.”

From author Rachel Naomi Remen, who addressed our convention on March 10:
“When we serve others, we serve ourselves – our wholeness that we create inside ourselves can evoke a wholeness in others.
“It is possible to live a good life even though it is not an easy life” (in relation to those living with chronic illness or other challenges).
“Compassion sustains the world.”
“The wholeness of the world can only be sustained one heart at a time.”
“Community is the most powerful tool for healing.”

Let us remember that the building blocks of community include trust, respect, communication, honesty, and friendship.
L’shalom,
Rabbi Larry