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    This Saturday night we begin the celebration of Passover. This week long holiday is an opportunity not only to remember the Exodus from Egypt but to reflect on our own commitment to social justice. The word of Torah this week is an intention that can be recited at the seder and on each day of the holiday. It can be used to focus on what you want to do on behalf of social justice in the coming 12 months.
  The song is my family's unique Yiddish version of Ehad mi Yodea--Who knows one? 
                                                                                                michael 
 (michaelstrassfeld.com)
                                                                                                                                              
To listen to the song

 A word of Torah: 
       I behold you in acts of justice when done with awareness I am filled with Your vision (Ps.17:15). Open to me the gates of justice, I will enter them expressing God’s name. This is the gateway to God; the righteous will engage through it (Ps. 118:19-20).
      Thus, God says: Let not the wise glory in their wisdom; let not the powerful glory in their strength; let not the wealthy glory in their financial success. But only in this should they glory: In their knowledge and understanding of Me. For I, God, act with lovingkindness and justice and equity in this world; For these I desire (Jer. 9:22-23).
       Don’t place your trust in illusions saying, “The Temple of God, the Temple of God, the Temple of God are these.” No, only by mending your ways and deeds wholeheartedly, only if you bring justice between one person and another. Only if you do not oppress the stranger, the orphan, and the widow... (Jer. 7:4-6).
       Through justice will you be established and kept far from oppression; you shall have no fear... (Is. 54:14). For the work of justice shall be peace, and the effect of justice, calm and confidence forever (Is. 32:17).

Ani ve-lo malakh
I, not a perfect being.
Ani ve-lo saraf
I, not one consumed with fury at the oppressors.
Ani ve-lo shaliah
I myself, not someone acting on my behalf.
Ani hu/hi ve-lo aheir
For I am the one to fight for redemption, there is no other.
She-ani aheir
For I am other!
For I was a stranger in the land of Egypt and went out
Be-yad hazakah u-zeroa netuyah with the determination and strength to fight for freedom and with an outstretched arm to help lift up those that are oppressed.

Therefore, we should work, speak out, strive, and fight for the redemption of all the peoples of the world, as it is written: “You shall not oppress the stranger, for you know the feelings of the stranger, having yourself been strangers in the land of Egypt” (Ex. 23:9). Then the power of Your rule will repair the world, and all the creatures of flesh will call on Your name, as it is written: A time is coming---declares my Eternal God---when I will send a famine upon the land: not a hunger for bread or a thirst for water, but for hearing the words of the Eternal One.” “So, let justice well up like water, righteousness like an unfailing stream” (Amos 8:11, 5:24).

For I am my fellow’s keeper who awakens myself with them to oppression (me'orair yeshanim) , who imagines with them dreams of a different world (maikitz nirdamim), who gives voice with them against the silence suppressing unpleasant truths (mei'ciah ilmim), who frees myself with them from a society that has unequal opportunities (matir asurim), who joins hands with them to ensure no one falls behind (somiekh noflim), who encourages all of us weary of the struggle (notein la-ya'eif ko'ah).

     Happy are those who act justly, who do what is right in every hour. (Ps. 106:3)
     Justice justice you shall pursue in order to be truly alive (Deut. 16:20)
 
 


 
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