Embracing Complexity: A Call for Compassion and Justice

Devotional

Day 1: Every Human Being Is Created in God's Image

To truly honor our tradition, we must recognize the divine image in every person, regardless of their nationality or circumstance. This means holding in our hearts not only the victims of violence and those we feel closest to, but also those on the other side of conflict, including every Palestinian child, mother, father, and grandparent who suffers. Compassion and empathy are not acts of disloyalty but acts of deep faithfulness to our values, calling us to see the humanity in all, even amidst pain and loss. [03:54]

Genesis 1:27 (ESV)
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Reflection: Who is someone you find difficult to see as made in God’s image, and how might you begin to pray for or act toward them with greater compassion today?

Day 2: Moral Responsibility in Times of War

Even in the midst of just causes and necessary defense, there remains a profound moral responsibility to protect innocent life and to act with justice and restraint. The right to self-defense is not a license for unchecked action; rather, it is a call to higher standards, to ensure that the means of war are as just as the cause, and to provide hope and a future for all affected. Our actions, especially in times of conflict, must reflect our deepest values and our commitment to justice and humanity. [05:04]

Deuteronomy 16:20 (ESV)
Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

Reflection: In what ways can you advocate for justice and mercy, even when you feel strongly about one side of a conflict?

Day 3: Holding Nuanced and Conflicting Truths

Living ethically in a complicated world requires the courage to hold nuanced and sometimes conflicting truths, resisting the temptation of loud certainties and simplistic answers. It is possible—and necessary—to acknowledge suffering on all sides, to recognize the moral responsibilities of all parties, and to create space for diverse perspectives within our community. This approach fosters empathy, humility, and a deeper commitment to truth, even when it is uncomfortable or unpopular. [08:11]

Proverbs 18:13 (ESV)
If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.

Reflection: Where in your life do you need to listen more deeply to perspectives that challenge your own, and how might this change your understanding or actions?

Day 4: Keeping the Fire of Moral Passion Alive

The fire of personal commitment and moral passion should not remain hidden within us but should be shared openly in the safety and strength of community. When we allow our inner convictions to illuminate our communal life, especially in difficult times, we create a space where courage and faith can flourish. This shared fire becomes a source of unity and hope, lighting the way forward even amidst darkness and uncertainty. [11:06]

Leviticus 6:2 (ESV)
The fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not go out. The priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and he shall arrange the burnt offering on it and shall burn on it the fat of the peace offerings.

Reflection: What is one conviction or passion you have kept hidden that you could share with your community to help bring light or hope?

Day 5: Creating a Brave and Inclusive Community

A truly illuminated community is one where people feel safe to express their convictions, doubts, and even disagreements without fear of exclusion or judgment. By fostering an environment where all are accepted in their confusion, uncertainty, and certainty, we build a foundation of trust and belonging. This inclusivity is essential for the health and future of our community, ensuring that no one is made to feel like an outsider for their beliefs or questions. [09:09]

Romans 15:7 (ESV)
Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Reflection: How can you help make your community a safer and more welcoming place for those who think or feel differently than you?

Sermon Summary

Tonight, I opened my heart about the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza, acknowledging the complexity and pain that so many of us feel. I shared my own struggle to hold together competing truths: my deep commitment to Israel’s security and well-being as a Jewish and democratic state, and my equally strong belief in the necessity of a Palestinian state for lasting peace. I spoke of the horrors of October 7th, the devastation wrought by Hamas, and the just cause to prevent such atrocities from recurring. Yet, I also named the immense suffering in Gaza—tens of thousands dead, neighborhoods destroyed, and a humanitarian crisis that defies easy description. To tell these truths is not to betray what we love, but to be faithful to our values and to the image of God in every human being.

I called us to rescue our core values from the realm of cliché, to remember that every victim—Israeli or Palestinian—is created in the divine image. Responsibility is not simple: Hamas bears primary blame for its brutality and use of civilians as shields, but Israel, too, has a moral obligation to protect innocent life and to act with justice, even in war. I urged us to seek a path that releases hostages and brings about a humanitarian cessation of hostilities, recognizing that how we conduct ourselves now shapes the possibility of hope and healing in the future.

Ethical living in a complicated world demands that we hold nuanced, sometimes conflicting positions. Certainty can be comforting, but it often blinds us to the full truth. We must be a community where diverse views are welcomed, where disagreement does not mean exclusion, and where the fire of moral passion can be shared openly and safely. Our tradition teaches us to keep the fire burning—not just on the altar, but within our hearts and within our community. In these difficult times, may we be illuminated by that fire, striving for justice, security, and peace for all.

Key Takeaways

1. Holding Competing Truths: True moral maturity means holding together competing truths without collapsing into simplistic answers. It is possible—and necessary—to be committed to Israel’s security while also recognizing the urgent need for Palestinian dignity and statehood. This “and” is not weakness, but the strength to live with complexity and compassion. [01:34]
2. The Image of God in Every Person: Our tradition’s teaching that every human being is created in God’s image must not remain a cliché. It demands that we hold the suffering of every Israeli and every Palestinian in our hearts, refusing to dehumanize or ignore any victim, no matter their side. This is the foundation of true empathy and justice. [03:54]
3. Moral Responsibility Amid War: While Hamas bears primary responsibility for the horrors unleashed, Israel is called to conduct itself with justice, taking greater care to protect civilians and provide hope even in darkness. How we fight matters as much as why we fight, and our actions today shape the possibility of reconciliation tomorrow. [05:04]
4. The Courage of Nuance: In a world that rewards loud certainties, it takes courage to walk the path of nuance. We must resist the temptation to silence or exclude those who disagree with us, and instead create a community where confusion, uncertainty, and even passionate disagreement are met with acceptance and respect. [08:11]
5. The Fire Within and Among Us: The fire of moral passion and commitment should not be hidden away, but shared openly within the safety of community. When we allow the fire within our hearts to illuminate our collective life, we become a beacon of hope and strength, especially in times of darkness and division. [11:06]
** [11:06]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:31] - Wrestling with Competing Realities
[01:34] - Commitment to Israel and Palestine
[02:48] - The Hellscape in Gaza
[03:54] - The Image of God in Every Victim
[05:04] - Assigning Responsibility and Moral Obligations
[06:31] - Ceasefire, Hostages, and the Path Forward
[07:31] - The Challenge of Ethical Complexity
[08:11] - Embracing Nuance in Community
[09:09] - Creating a Safe Space for Diverse Views
[11:06] - The Fire on the Altar and in Our Hearts
[11:56] - Prayers for Israel and Closing Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Genesis 1:27 — So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

2. Leviticus 6:2 (6:5 in Christian Bibles)
The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the fellowship offerings on it.

Observation Questions

In Genesis 1:27, what does it mean that every person is created in the image of God? How does this idea show up in the sermon’s discussion of both Israeli and Palestinian suffering? [03:54]
According to Leviticus 6:2, what is the instruction about the fire on the altar? How did the sermon connect this to the “fire” within our hearts and community? [11:06]
The sermon describes the horrors of October 7th and the suffering in Gaza. What are some specific examples the speaker gives of pain on both sides? [01:34] / [02:48]
The speaker mentions the challenge of holding “competing truths.” What are the two main commitments he says he is trying to hold together? [01:34]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that seeing every person as made in God’s image should not be a cliché. What does it look like to truly live out this belief, especially when people are on “opposite sides” of a conflict? [03:54]
The fire on the altar in Leviticus is described as something that must not go out. How does the speaker interpret this fire for the community today? What does it mean for our “moral passion” to be shared openly? [11:06]
The speaker talks about the “courage of nuance” and the temptation to seek simple answers. Why does he believe it’s important to hold onto complexity, even when it’s uncomfortable? [08:11]
The sermon calls for a “humanitarian cessation of hostilities” and the release of hostages. What does the speaker say about the responsibilities of both Hamas and Israel in this situation? [05:04]

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to see the image of God in every victim, Israeli or Palestinian. Is there a group or person you find it hard to see this way? What would it look like to pray for them or hold their suffering in your heart this week? [03:54]
The speaker says, “Certainty can be comforting, but it often blinds us to the full truth.” Can you think of a time when you were certain about an issue, but later realized it was more complicated? How did that change your perspective or actions? [08:11]
The fire on the altar is a picture of keeping our moral passion alive. What is one value or conviction you feel strongly about, but have kept hidden? How could you share it in a way that builds up your community? [11:06]
The sermon urges us to create a safe space for disagreement and diverse views. How do you usually respond when someone in your community disagrees with you about something important? What could you do differently to make space for their voice? [09:09]
The speaker talks about the need for both justice and compassion in times of conflict. Is there a situation in your life—big or small—where you need to balance these two? What would it look like to act with both justice and compassion this week? [05:04]
The sermon mentions the danger of “dehumanizing or ignoring any victim.” Are there ways you might unintentionally ignore or dismiss the pain of others, even in your own community? What is one step you could take to notice and care for those who are suffering? [03:54]
The speaker says, “How we conduct ourselves now shapes the possibility of hope and healing in the future.” Is there a relationship or situation where you need to change how you act today to make hope and healing possible tomorrow? What is one practical step you could take? [05:04]

Sermon Clips

For me, and maybe for you, to tell that truth is not to be disloyal to Israel, a place that I love, it is to be true to Israel and true to myself. The events on the ground challenge us to rescue certain values from the realm of cliché. We regularly recite our traditions teaching that every human being is created in God's image. [00:03:36] (28 seconds)

Every Palestinian child, every mother, every father, every grandparent that has died, as a combined result of Hamas's culpability and Israel's bombings, is also created in the image of the divine. The 1.8 million Gazans displaced on the cusp of starvation and disease, all the ones walking a tightrope of survival. [00:04:39] (25 seconds)

But this gets to the core of what I believe about ethical behavior in a complicated world. We have to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time. We have to be able to hold nuanced and sometimes conflicting positions. In the walk and chew gum school of ethics, loud certainties, while they may make us feel better, do us more harm than good. [00:07:43] (28 seconds)

I have learned that according to some cognitive psychologists, this ability to validate contradictory positions is held by only a select few. Maybe I'm kidding myself to think that I am one of them, but I deeply believe that we are hurting ourselves as a Jewish community if we can't. cannot find the ability to say, and. [00:08:11] (22 seconds)

If we cannot speak aloud of the suffering of Israelis and Palestinians, the moral responsibility of Israelis and Palestinians, the abuse of power by the governments of Israelis and Palestinians, the fundamental humanity and right to a stable future for both Israelis and Palestinians. [00:08:33] (21 seconds)

We need to be a place where people feel accepted in their confusion in their uncertainty and in their certainty too we certainly have the freedom and the right to consider someone who disagrees with us to be dead wrong we do not have the right to consider them dead to our community. [00:10:04] (20 seconds)

We need to make sure that people feel that the fire of personal commitment or moral passion does not have to remain inside their hearts or hidden away somewhere. How beautifully illuminated a community we can be when the fire within can also be shared on the altar in the safety and strength of community. unity precisely when things are hard. [00:11:20] (31 seconds)

There is too much destructive fire in the world these days. But when our Parsha speaks of a fire that is to be kept burning, as Rabbi Herzog Cohen said earlier, it surely has a different fire in mind. [00:11:50] (17 seconds)

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