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Attack in Knoxville sends message to us all
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As a rabbi, I must write in sorrow and shock to add my concern and condolences for the dead, the wounded and their families and the whole Unitarian-Universalist community who have suffered the attack in Knoxville, Tenn.
The effects of these murders on the human beings directly involved is, of course, terrible. And in addition, once we realized this was an explicit and deliberate attack on all progressive and prophetic religious life, it became clear that we owe our concern not only for those directly affected but also for our country and for the world, so deeply scarred by fanaticism and violence in the name of religion.
No religious tradition is immune from this perversion of its message, and no religious community is immune from the terrible damage that results.
The Jewish holy fast day of Tisha B'Av arrives August 10,2008, commemorating the destruction of Jerusalem (among other events) by the Romans in 70.We are taught that the blame falls on the shoulders of Jews treating each other with "baseless hatred," [sinat chinam] cliquishness, and infighting, including murder, and their rabbis for doing nothing to stop it, and not on the shoulders of the Romans. (Talmud Bavli Tractates Gittin 55 et.al and Yoma 9a)
My adult students, Ellen and I send the whole Unitarian-Universalist community blessings that the courage and perseverance in God's work of peace and justice that I know you already feel will be strengthened by the outpouring of shared sorrow, spiritual solidarity and determination that surrounds you now.
Rabbi Arthur Segal
Hilton Head Island ,SC
Bluffton,SC
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