If not now, then when?

Opinion

By Rabbi Rick Sherwin

Again, and again, and again... Every statement following yesterday's atrocity in Pittsburgh begins with "we are appalled,"or" we condemn," or "we are outraged..."

Speaking personally, I am outraged by such comprehensive statements as "If only there had been an armed guard welcoming worshippers," or "if only more people had guns with them during the worship service," or other such shallow insights that might eliminate the problem. There will always be demented human beings who ignore the value of human life, but more guns do not seem to be the answer...

I am reposting my thoughts that followed last year's wanton mass murder in Las Vegas, with Pittsburgh's Tree of Life now in mind. I speak not just as a Jew, not just as one who remembers Pulse in Orlando, not just as an American, but as a human being charged to live up to the Divine Image in which we are all created.

Columbine High School

Virginia Tech

Sandy Hook Elementary

Fort Hood

Umpqua Community College

San Bernardino

Chattanooga

Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church

Pulse

Las Vegas

To name just a few

After each one comes

Thoughts and prayers

Expressions of sympathy

Prayers for consolation

Heightened security at

Schools

Military Bases

Churches, Mosques, Synagogues

Night Clubs

Maybe now hotel check in!

What about the real problem?

Not controlling guns

But outlawing assault weapons

Not allowing silencers

But speaking up and speaking out

Not second amendment rights

But the responsibility for life

Not more mental health checks

But more sane laws

The real problem is addressing

In a completely direct way

Devastation and anguish

Loss of hope and loss of life.

We have delayed the conversation

We have delayed the action

We have delayed protecting

Children and Adults

Going to School

Praying

Attending a Concert

The Prophet Isaiah:

“They have eyes but will not see

They have ears but will not hear”

Wake up now

Before more parents mourn children

Before more children are orphaned

Before more young love is lost.

The Sage Hillel

2,000 years ago:

IF NOT NOW, THEN WHEN?

Rabbi Rick Sherwin, a graduate of UCLA, was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. Rabbi Rick’s passion is filling spiritual services and interfaith educational programs with creativity, relevance, dialogue, and humor.