Doubt is an ugly demon, one that creeps into your life and sucks you down a deep dark hole. Doubt creates mountains upon mountains that rest on your shoulders so you can barely take a step forward. As you try and chip away at the weight, doubt sits on top of the mountains laughing at your fruitless attempt to get rid of it.
Moments before the Noor Verdict is Announced
As I sat in anticipation for the verdict to be read in the trial of ex-police officer Mohamed Noor for killing of Justine Ruszczyk, I wondered about the ramifications of both a guilty and not guilty verdict. Should Noor be found not guilty, the verdict would be a dagger into the hearts of the victim’s family and community. A not guilty verdict would justify any murder by a police officer in the state of Minnesota. For too long, police officers have been given great latitude in killing a civilian. All a police officer has had to say is “I fear for my life” to justify discharging their firearm.
Helping with an Open Hand and an Open Heart
As we near the end of Passover, I have thought a lot about how often we were reminded that we were once slaves in the land of Egypt. We are reminded twice in this week’s Torah portion and during the first and second night Seders. The enslavement we endured was cruel, horrific and unjust; a system that no human being should ever have to endure. Passover reminds us that we weren’t enslaved forever as God brought us out of Egypt. We left at night bringing unleavened bread to eat, a flat, often flavorless, crisp bread. A stark contrast to the soft, chewy Challah, sometimes made with honey or raisins, we enjoy every week during Shabbat.