Dear Friends,
“Remember this day…” (Ex. 13:3)
So commanded Moses to the Israelite people in Exodus, and so are we charged on this January 6, 2022, to remember this day, a year ago, when America’s democracy was attacked by an insurrection, striving to overthrow our election.
Irrespective of one’s political leanings – the truth is clear: violent mobs broke windows of the Capitol, pushed through barricades manned by Capitol Police, pepper-sprayed officers, broke down doors in the Capitol, sought to harm elected legislators, and left people dead and dismayed.
“Remember this day.” Such a simple message – yet so profound on this first anniversary of the riot and attempted coup.
“Remember this day.” So necessary, as we have seen that there are many who are actively attempting to rewrite history, to say that violence was peaceful, that lawfulness was abided, and that there was no malice intended, even when “Hang Mike Pence,” chants were heard from cellphone recordings.
“Remember this day.” Jewish life has taught us to do so in the aftermath of the Egyptian plagues, when our liberation from bondage was secured. Don’t forget the moment when Egypt collapsed, and we were released to freedom! So, too, for America: remember the risks associated with demagoguery, with ignoring truth, with undermining the processes of justice.
“Remember this day.” So that we may teach it and its lessons to our children and their children, so they will ever be vigilant against threats to their secure life, when we pass the torch to their hands. Let them not be as innocent and naïve as were we, when our Land of Freedom was attacked by rioters from among us.
An anniversary of a special day not only offers a perch from which to look back – on 9/11, on the assassinations of Dr. King and President Kennedy, on Pearl Harbor, and now January 6th, but it demands that we look back and learn. From each epochal event we take away key discoveries: from Pearl harbor that Presidents Harding, Coolidge and Hoover had let our naval defenses diminish and our nation become vulnerable; from assassinations in the 60’s that we must cherish and protect our prophets who speak words of courage; from 9/11 that there are dangerous enemies out there; and from January 6th that there are dangerous enemies in here.
In every age – from the days of Moses to our own days – new moments demand to be remembered. Let us not forget, nor forget to learn!
“Remember this day…” (Ex. 13:3)
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
“Remember this day…” (Ex. 13:3)
So commanded Moses to the Israelite people in Exodus, and so are we charged on this January 6, 2022, to remember this day, a year ago, when America’s democracy was attacked by an insurrection, striving to overthrow our election.
Irrespective of one’s political leanings – the truth is clear: violent mobs broke windows of the Capitol, pushed through barricades manned by Capitol Police, pepper-sprayed officers, broke down doors in the Capitol, sought to harm elected legislators, and left people dead and dismayed.
“Remember this day.” Such a simple message – yet so profound on this first anniversary of the riot and attempted coup.
“Remember this day.” So necessary, as we have seen that there are many who are actively attempting to rewrite history, to say that violence was peaceful, that lawfulness was abided, and that there was no malice intended, even when “Hang Mike Pence,” chants were heard from cellphone recordings.
“Remember this day.” Jewish life has taught us to do so in the aftermath of the Egyptian plagues, when our liberation from bondage was secured. Don’t forget the moment when Egypt collapsed, and we were released to freedom! So, too, for America: remember the risks associated with demagoguery, with ignoring truth, with undermining the processes of justice.
“Remember this day.” So that we may teach it and its lessons to our children and their children, so they will ever be vigilant against threats to their secure life, when we pass the torch to their hands. Let them not be as innocent and naïve as were we, when our Land of Freedom was attacked by rioters from among us.
An anniversary of a special day not only offers a perch from which to look back – on 9/11, on the assassinations of Dr. King and President Kennedy, on Pearl Harbor, and now January 6th, but it demands that we look back and learn. From each epochal event we take away key discoveries: from Pearl harbor that Presidents Harding, Coolidge and Hoover had let our naval defenses diminish and our nation become vulnerable; from assassinations in the 60’s that we must cherish and protect our prophets who speak words of courage; from 9/11 that there are dangerous enemies out there; and from January 6th that there are dangerous enemies in here.
In every age – from the days of Moses to our own days – new moments demand to be remembered. Let us not forget, nor forget to learn!
“Remember this day…” (Ex. 13:3)
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
