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ACROSS THE GENERATIONS WITH HUMANISTIC JEWISH MUSSAR
A Poem by Bruce Hillenberg
& Scarlett Rodnick
The insight is there; it has been for many years.
Laid out in front of us.
Pakuda, Luzzato and Salanter, names not often spoken, but oh so wise.
Quietly noting, that study, and speaking intelligently about Jewish history and values, mean nothing without translation into daily behavior.
“Know thyself.”
Thank you, Socrates.
Behave decently—Vonnegut said.
A fire was revived; we can warm our soul.
And learn to improve the world.
One personal trait at a time.
Applause goes to Alan Morinis.
An older poet, slowing down, keeps writing.
A younger poet, speeding up, loves writing.
Their paths crossed at the intersection of meaning and purpose.
Our path is slightly different than traditional Mussar study.
Our search for “holiness” is existential, not theistic.
We leave a God behind.
Evolution and evidence are our mojo.
Instead, we follow our moral compass.
We step lightly; we pay attention; we care.
It is our responsibility; it is our gift; we freely share.
Rabbi Wine spoke: “The light is within us.”
The older member of the team is graying.
The lessons are so meaningful.
Sharing knowledge from one generation to the next.
This is his important path to meaning.
So, he asked a youthful seer to join him.
We will write together and ponder together.
And build a Mussar bridge between old and young.
But, like young ones do, she lost her way.
Stranded in a sea of imagination,
She conjured up a life that didn’t yet belong to her.
The present is an empty waiting room,
But she doesn’t want to sit patiently.
The anticipation of not knowing what lies behind the door,
Has her hands wringing.
Dust clouds that haven’t formed a shape.
In all uncertainty,
To quiet the mind,
She finds comfort in her intention toward goodness.
And in the love she projects,
She is propelled forward.
Away from the dark corners of her innermost self.
The bridge where the wise stood,
Seemed such a distance,
Miles she could never surpass,
Though she tries.
She tries.
We try.
So, we joined up.
Bruce and Scarlett.
Young and old.
Sharing the art of translation.
Knowledge into lived ethics.
Humility spurs the search for inner wisdom and external menschiness.
Across the generations.
From young to old.
Bringing tidings to Humanistic Jews.
That translation, daily practice, and behavioral evidence.
That is what speaks of our higher form of existence.
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