Boston Marathon and This Imperfect World

This week's tragedy surrounding the Boston Marathon has challenged our faith and sense of justice like no other event since 9/11.

 Our country has endured many violent incidents since 2001, most notably the Newtown shootings, mass murders in Aurora, Columbine and Tucson, and the attack last summer at a Sikh temple. Since 1982, there have been more than sixty mass shootings in the United States. If you combine that total with the scores of bombings and terrorist attacks in Israel, we as American Jews have repeatedly had our hearts broken, and our sense of civility and faith challenged.

 How do we make sense of this? In conversation with many congregants, feelings of anger, outrage, doubt and hopelessness have surfaced. How can God let this happen? Where is God? What is the purpose of this within God's master plan? Yet, my personal sense of faith never falters. I believe that we as the human race are on a collective and epic journey. And we are not there yet.

As we look back in history, it becomes clear that we in the United States are living in a unique time. Violence and tribalism have plagued humanity since creation. Since this country's inception, there has been much we have witnessed. The American Civil War claimed 620,000 soldiers. The number of military and civilian casualties in World War I exceeded 37 million. Fifty to 70 million died in World War II.

As we dial back time from the 21st century, billions have died through violence. Yet, Jewish tradition tells us not to despair because our world is a work in progress. Indeed, if we sit back and assume God will do the work for us, we will go through life disappointed.

It is our duty as Jews, if not as human beings, to repair this world one act, one kind gesture at a time. We strive in partnership with God to create a world where, in the words of Isaiah, "the lion will lay down with the lamb... and we will beat our weapons into plowshares."

For the most part, we live in a just society. Western society no longer tolerates abuse or harassment. The Internet has made it possible to expose those companies that employ child labor and to boycott them. The Iron Curtain has fallen. South African apartheid is gone. We as a race have made great collective strides and this period shines brightly when compared to virtually any time in history.

Yet we feel a certain entitlement. We become justifiably outraged when barbarians fly planes into buildings, or a group of American "patriots" kill their own citizens as they wage war against their own government. Terrorist groups and modern day governments in the Middle East are still seeking revenge over the events of the Crusades which occurred one thousand years ago.

We have come far as a species. But every now and then, we are reminded that our work is not done. There are still those who believe that they have some duty to kill or seek revenge in the name of God. But believe me - God does not need anyone to fight in God's name.

I wake up every day and thank God for the ability to contribute to this world. Indeed, this planet and this country are still good places to live in spite of their imperfections. And how do we fight against evil? As the scriptures tell us, we counter evil by overwhelming it with acts of loving kindness.

The words of the late children's television host Fred Rogers come to mind. He wrote: "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' To this day, especially in times of 'disaster,' I remember my mother's words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers - so many caring people in this world."

As maddening and heartbreaking as this week's events have been, what endures are the images of thousands of volunteers, bystanders, family members and runners who, instead of running away from the scene, ran straight into it not knowing what awaited them. That is what I will remember.

We as human beings are partners with God to, in the words of the Alenu, prayer L'taken Olam B'malchut Shaddai, "to heal this broken world under God's universe." We are not there yet, but we are getting closer. I can guarantee that in the months and years ahead, there will be more events which will challenge our faith. They will test our mettle in ways we can not yet fathom. Yet in their aftermath, good people who make up the vast majority of this world will come forward to raise sparks of light. There are still those living in the dark ages, who use violence to punish, hurt and seek revenge. But we are better than that. We can play a part.

In our synagogues and other places of worship, in our schools and in our homes, in the words of the Shema, we can "teach our children" about justice and fairness. And we can help perfect this world in the long run when we consistently and repeatedly inject kindness in the equation.

It is a journey which began at the beginning of time, and it is ours and those who follow to complete. That is the Biblical promise. We are all outraged by this week's events, but the marathon is not over. In spite of those who seek to damage the world, there are a million more who are willing to inject kindness into it. It reinforces the fact that in our lives we can never be bystanders.

We have not crossed the finish line. Our outrage, our questions to God, our commitment to act and to respond are part of a divine journey. And events like those which occurred at the finish line of the Boston Marathon remind us that, in spite of great strides which humanity has achieved, we are not there yet.

Good is winning this race. I believe this with all of my heart. In the end, justice is in our hands. And this is still a wonderful world.

Shabbat shalom, v'kol tuv,
Rabbi Irwin Huberman