Historical Memory Instructs Selfless Devotion |
Historical Memory Instructs Selfless Devotion
(Reflection on the Haftorah for Torah Portion Emor)
Historical memory of sanctity
Unfolds the epic-eternal Temple,
Promised to reappear with designated
Representatives, priests to practice and teach
In selfless devotion, bound to the spirit of the law
Wherein, they touch the hem of eternity,
But never forgetting, they are on earth
To administer to G-d on behalf of people.
The descendants of Zadok, loyal to Solomon
Are to be chosen for forgoing material
And ego desires, for values and principles
In and behind rites and rituals of service.
Always recalling the refrain of Micah’s words:
“What does G-d require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness
And to walk humbly with your Lord.”