Shabbat Naso
Torah:
Numbers 4:21 - 7:89 / Haftarah: Judges 13:2 - 13:25
“Reconstructionist
Movement Statement on Orlando Shooting”
Dear Friends,
In light of the horrific massacre in Orlando this
week, I share with you the message put out by the leadershp of the
Reconstructionist Movement.
We mourn the tragic deaths of 49 members of the
LGBT community in Orlando, pray for the healing of the wounded, and extend
comfort to family members, friends and their extended community.
We condemn all acts of terror and all statements
and actions designed to terrorize, and we are especially horrified at an act of
hate directed at particular segments of the American population.
The mass shooting took place while Jews around the
world were observing the holiday of Shavuot, where we celebrate receiving the
Torah. Deuteronomy 30:19 teaches "I have set before you today life
and death, the blessing and the curse...Choose life, so that you and your
children may live." We live in a period of increasing extremism. We
must continually choose life over and over. A rejection of hate and an embrace
of diversity and difference is at the heart of every vibrant community.
Inclusive stances nurture creativity and interconnection and create a safer
world for all of us.
We urge Congress and the US President to take up
common-sense and measured gun legislation. While recognizing the right of
Americans to own arms for the purposes of personal security and licensed
sportsmanship, it has become clear that assault weapons like the one used in
this and several other mass shootings serve no purpose other than to kill or
injure at as many people as possible. A ban on assault weapons is a
common-sense measure that will prevent further attacks and help us overcome the
terror of this day.
Let us choose to foster
light and love, connection and community, justice and peace. Let us
nurture blessings and in this way choose life, for us and for our descendants.
L’Shalom (In Peace),
Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow
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