The WORD – 1/12/12. On August 28 1963, in his most famous speech “I Have a Dream”, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. reminded America of “the fierce urgency of now.”
I think that his words that day resonated in the Jewish community not just because they were the truth, but also because they reminded us of the words of Hillel, another visionary leader who lived some 2,000 years before him. The Talmud preserves the following words of Hillel: “If I am not for myself who will be for me? If I’m for myself alone, what am I? If not now, when? (Pirkei Avot 1:15).”
When we stand up for our own rights, we inevitably make this world a better place for others as well. When we stand up for other people’s rights, we inevitably make this world a better place for ourselves as well. And sooner is always better.
The truth is that we are probably busier today than any previous generation. Two-income families, single-parent families, constant communication and other factors contribute to us being on the go all day, every day. It’s easy to say that we’ll put some things off until we have more time – that class we want to take, that place we want to see, that project we want to take on, etc. But, really, when will have more time?
Both Hillel and Dr. King remind us that we must make time in our personal lives for the things that our important to us and we must stand up for the causes that are important to us today. If their words were not sufficient to inspire us, then surely Dr. King’s shortened life reminds us that we never know how many tomorrows we will get.
So, as we observe Dr. King’s birthday this coming Monday, please take advantage of the many programs available in the Summit area. Then, take a moment to consider what we can do right now to make our lives a little better and our community a little better. If not now, when?
Shalom,
RAF.
Click Here for the “Shaping Summit Together” Website with the full schedule of MLK Day activities.
