To all my Jewish students, colleagues, friends, and readers, I wish a good and happy Passover today. In view of the great danger and hatred which are being directed against Jewish people all over the world, including, to my sorrow, our own country, I also wish you a safe one. The following passages of Scripture, shared by your tradition and mine, have been quoted in this blog before, but I will never forget them.
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who curses you I will curse; and by you all the families of the earth shall bless themselves.”
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May they prosper who love you!
Peace be within your walls,
and security within your towers!
For my brethren and companions’ sake
I will say, “Peace be within you!”
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.
(Genesis 12:1-3; Psalm 122:6-9)