Simon and Garfunkel sang memorably about the "Sounds of Silence." Silence can be a virtue. It can give us
opportunity to reflect. The Talmud says that silence can build a fence around wisdom.
But silence can also destroy.
Silence can be evil’s accomplice.
When evil occurs, the last thing we need is silence.
We need to make what our liturgy refers to as ra’ash gadol – a big noise.
Imagine what might have happened differently seventy years ago in Europe if the world had made a big noise.
Imagine what might be happening differently in Darfur and the Congo today if we made an even bigger noise than we’re making.
For that matter, imagine what might happen differently to children in locker rooms, home rooms and cyber chat-rooms if everyone knew that bigotry and bullying would be met with condemnation, rather than silence.
Let our creator, who called heaven and earth into being with courage and words, help us to find both when we need them. Amen.
Originally delivered as the closing benediction for the Annual Dinner of the Holocaust Museum and Tolerance Center of Nassau County, November 18, 2011.
But silence can also destroy.
Silence can be evil’s accomplice.
When evil occurs, the last thing we need is silence.
We need to make what our liturgy refers to as ra’ash gadol – a big noise.
Imagine what might have happened differently seventy years ago in Europe if the world had made a big noise.
Imagine what might be happening differently in Darfur and the Congo today if we made an even bigger noise than we’re making.
For that matter, imagine what might happen differently to children in locker rooms, home rooms and cyber chat-rooms if everyone knew that bigotry and bullying would be met with condemnation, rather than silence.
Let our creator, who called heaven and earth into being with courage and words, help us to find both when we need them. Amen.
Originally delivered as the closing benediction for the Annual Dinner of the Holocaust Museum and Tolerance Center of Nassau County, November 18, 2011.
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