Lift up the lights, part 2

This line of reasoning is why we still have the poor among us. For people to realize the truth that all are created equal and always equal in worth, self aggrandizing positions need to be put aside. It is not ourselves that acquire the wealth. It is God who allows us to become wealthy. The silver and gold belongs to him. We no more own the earth than we own our bodies. The earth is the Lord's and everything in it. We are but resident aliens upon the earth. We are to take care of it, not exploit it. The way to justice is to make sure everybody has equal access to adequate food, clothing, medicine, shelter, education. The gap between rich and poor is ever increasing and this is so because the rich want it to be this way. The rich make the rules. The rich vote the rich into office. The rich make tax breaks for themselves. The rich elevate themselves and keep the poor in squalor. This is not elevating the lights. This is elevating money and greed. But we are to lift the lights of Torah and mitzvot.

From the study of God's Word we know that all are created betzelem elohim (in the image of God). We know that we all have one Father-one God Who created us. We all belong to the same family-the human family. Better and worse are illusions brought on by the desire for gain and material things. I am not better than you by reason of my upbringing and education and work. And the reverse is also true. You and I are the same. We are equally worthy of love. And if we are to love God with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our might, we can love each other only if we too have the divine within us.

And when we realize that we are the same and belong to the same family, we will put aside our selfish ambitions for the good of the group. In a family, the members sacrifice personal wants for the good of the whole. We make choices based on what's best for everybody, not what's best for me right now and to hell with everybody else. And we know what's best for everybody. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick, take in the homeless. This is how our light breaks forth as the dawn and shines as the noon day sun.

Let us lift up the lights so that others may see by our light and glorify our Father in heaven.