On the exterior wall of the synagogue where I grew up in Queens, NY, a quote from the prophet Micah was emblazoned in a beautiful mosaic, “It has been told to you, on human, what is good and what God requires of you. Only that you do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8) These words were also carved into the façade of the old UAHC offices on 5th Avenue in New York City, now a multi-million dollar apartment building. It is a beautiful and complete statement, yet it is also much more complex than it seems at first glance. In the Talmud (Makkot 23b-24a) it is quoted as one of the summaries of all Jewish teaching, encompassing all of Judaism’s obligations for how we act in our world. Each of the three exhortations is open to our own individual interpretations. How might we discover a personal relationship with God? Through prayer? Meditation? Simple acknowledgement of God’s presence? Do we exemplify a love of mercy through acts of compassion and kindness? What is the justice that we perform? The prophet provides a complete, and complicated, mission statement for our lives. How can we meet the challenge?
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