Antisemitism and LGBTQ+ Hate Are Spiking -- So We Must Come Together
There is nothing new under the sun. As Rabbis at the world’s largest LGBTQ synagogue, we have seen hate, discrimination, and anti-semitism all too frequently. It’s in the space above the sun, in the spiritual place of unity, where we are able to create something new.
During the Chanukah story, when we fought for our right to keep our own identities and religious freedoms against the evil of hyper-nationalism, we rose above the physical limitations of that darkness and hate by tapping into the miraculous power of love, acceptance, and faithful optimism. We must respond now, like then, with a new commitment to increase the light as the way to dispel the darkness. Each day of Chanukah we add a candle to show that we ascend towards holiness, and are never complacent with the progress of yesterday.
The special prayer that was offered during this holiday, Psalms 30:2, models a timeless perspective on how we should respond to hate that wants to erase us out of existence. “I will exalt you, God, for You have drawn me up, and not allowed my enemies to rejoice over me.” The word in Hebrew to “draw up” is actually a contranym, meaning it has two opposite definitions, both to lower and to elevate. Just as the process of drawing water from a well first requires lowering an empty bucket, in order for it to be filled, so too the darkness is actually the process for the light, in that it obligates us to respond with a posture of creative production to be the light.
In these difficult times, we can already see the blessings that have come from our need to elevate each other. After the massacre in Pittsburgh, we saw an unprecedented amount of love and support. Our friends and neighbors, across all faith traditions, showed up for us across the country with actions of support and solidarity. Relationships within and between communities were strengthened and expanded as we came together with a unified voice of love over hate.
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