A/N: No, this is not a new chapter, and for that I apologize.
I felt it necessary to post a few words about the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut.
I was born not too far from Newtown, in Bridgeport. I was raised in a small town, not unlike Newtown, in southeastern Connecticut, although I now reside in Florida.
My heart goes out to the families affected by this horrible tragedy. I cannot fathom what they are going through, but I hope they know the nation is behind them.
It's difficult to imagine such a despicable, heinous act being committed in Connecticut. Growing up there, I always felt pride at the people of Connecticut and our resilience, brains, politeness, and capability for love. It saddens me to know that something so terrible occurred in my home state.
I just wanted to post this, to express my deep condolences and hope for a brighter future. Maybe now we can have an intelligent debate on gun laws in this country, although I lament it took a tragedy like this to bring it to the forefront.
Lastly, I wanted to post a prayer that was shared in my Synagogue this morning. I'm a practicing Jew, but I'm well aware that not everyone in this world believes in a higher power. But this has helped me, so maybe it will help someone else. A Rabbi in California crafted it, using various Torah quotes and other meaningful words. I hope it brings a sense of peace in these trying times.
'A Prayer in Wake of a School Shooting'
By Menachem Creditor
In mourning and solidarity with the community of Newtown, Connecticut
Adonai,
Your children and teachers
Are dead and wounded.
Our souls are burning with anguish.
Until when, Adonai? (Ps. 6:3)
How long must we fear?
You have given us the tools of progress,
And we wield them to hurt.
Our plowshares have jagged edges,
And children are dying.
We have sinned.
And we continue to sin.
We have not done what we can.
We could have saved precious lives
By changing our ways
And we have not.
Your children, our children,
Dead and wounded.
We ask You, Adonai, for
The strength to face what numbs us,
The strength to hear the screams,
The resolve to not let our vulnerability make
Us feel powerless.
We are not.
Adonai, we are your images,
And we are being erased.
We are erasing ourselves,
And in doing so we are erasing You.
We have so much accursed power.
It is the curse of this power
And the sin that waits by the door (Gen 4:7)
That leads us to permit evil,
Which is the same as doing it ourselves,
Which is the same as erasing the Holy Name.
Your Name.
Dear God, this hurts so much.
Teach us, Guide us,
Make us save each other.
Dear vulnerable images of God,
Here and everywhere,
We pray that you,
In God's Name,
And in the name of those souls we have lost,
Remember that comforting each other might
Come first,
But the need will come again if nothing
Changes.
We can master this evil. (Gen 4:7)
May this world know no more hatred and
Violence.
May people live in peace.
Amen.
A/N 2: Now, by no means do I believe that God, or whatever incarnation anyone might believe in, can or will fix this for us. This is a human issue. As long as we ignore it, it will keep occurring. As long as we brush mental health issues and the age-old gun question under the rug, we'll keep having Columbines and Newtowns. We, as a nation and a world, have to stand together to change this. We must. We can not afford to lose anymore innocents.
Thank you for listening and reading, and for your prayers. We must remember, but at the same time heal and look forward. Sadly, us Jews have gotten good at that.
Thank you for your time.
I don't know if I'll feel up to writing today, so don't expect a new chapter of either of my stories. But, if I do end up posting, it'll be that much sweeter, right?
My heart, prayers, and hope goes out to Newtown.
-Josh