The Way of Peace

הִנֵּה מַה טּוֹב וּמַה נָּעִים שֶׁבֶת אַחִים גַּם יָחַד

Psalm 133:1

"Am I my brother's keeper?" (הֲשֹׁמֵר אָחִי אָנֹכִי) is still too often a common question. When crisis touches directly or indirectly the lives of everyone, then we learn that we all are keepers of each other. In seeking the best for others, in it we find blessings. The prophet Jeremiah spoke with wisdom when he said: 

ז  וְדִרְשׁוּ אֶת שְׁלוֹם הָעִיר ...  כִּי בִשְׁלוֹמָהּ יִהְיֶה לָכֶם שָׁלוֹם

7 And seek the peace of the city ... for in its peace thereof shall you have peace.

The call is to seek the peace (shalom) of everyone within our communities. To care for others, including the enemy, as we care for ourselves. When nations ignore the needs of other nations, the consequences of such a behaviour can be chaotic. The suffering of illness by one person can eventually cause suffering to others; so caring for the health of someone else is also protecting our health and the health of our communities. To be keepers of our brethren and sisters of our communities, to ensure their peace, is to ensure the peace of our children, relatives, and ourselves. After all we are part of the community. Clean and healthy environments, also neighborhoods free from noise pollution, for them and ourselves: for us. For your sake choose the way of peace: choose to be your brother's and sister's keeper. Seel their peace.

As it si written (Ps. 34):

טו  סוּר מֵרָע וַעֲשֵׂה טוֹב בַּקֵּשׁ שָׁלוֹם וְרָדְפֵהוּ

15 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

Psalm 34