Sermons & Stories

As the Commissioner’s Court opens this election day morning, we ask God, whatever you conceive God to be, to open our hearts and minds to one another.  In a time of division and mistrust, when party loyalty far too often means more than personal integrity or the needs of the people for both Democrats and Republicans, we pray that we can listen and hear the sincere plea of the just.

In Jewish tradition, Hillel and Shammai, the two great schools of thought, were seen as equally valid.  But it was the school of Hillel that Jews continue to follow today due to their humility and careful consideration of opposing points of view.

From that tradition, Rabbi Elazar ben Azaryah taught over eighteen hundred years ago, “Where there is no wisdom, there will be no reverence and where there is no reverence, there will be no wisdom.  Where there is no understanding, there will be no knowledge and where there is no knowledge, there will be no understanding.

On this day and every day, we pray that this Court be granted the wisdom of good judgment and reverence for both the rule of law and the dignity and frailty within all of us.  May this court be granted understanding that begins with humility and the knowledge that leads them and all of us, to justice, compassion, and truth.

We thank You for this Court, for its work, and for the opportunity to take part in our democracy.  Kein Y’hi Ratzon, May this be Your will.