Facebook Post by Rabbi Perlin in the Time of Coronavirus (4/20/2020)
Today is my day to be angry!
by Rabbi Amy R. Perlin, D.D. 4/20/2020
I had planned on writing a different piece today, which I will save for another time. Today, I am just angry. I do not have one nice word or thought for those who are refusing to wear masks in the name of their “liberty.” I could never write what I think of the protesters who are endangering lives and displaying stupidity and selfishness in protest of sound public health policy, and who are being fueled by leaders and media with complete disregard for science, and the public well-being. And I won’t atone on Yom Kippur for the thoughts I have and the words I speak about them, even if I can’t put them on paper here. I won’t atone for being angry at the world as it is in the face of the world as it could be. Today, of all days, is my day for anger.
At sundown, we will light our Yom HaShoah candles and remember a time in the history of the world when reality and humanity disappeared into the haze of a world dominated by a sociopathic leader bent on self-promotion, with no regard for human life. Hitler was the ultimate divider. He separated mothers from their children, he demonized whole segments of the population, and his policies were responsible for the death of millions of innocent people. He nurtured a crowd mentality that was dangerous, destructive, and evil, as he reveled in speaking before crowds who cheered him on.
Sadly, in too many corners of the world there is still genocide, racism, and dictatorship. And there are still those who remain silent as journalists are murdered and a free press is disparaged. There are still places where the masses are taken in by demagogues who promote an “us vs. them” mentality in every aspect of civil society. Today is my day to be angry at those who have failed to learn the lessons of history and who fail our society because of their greed, self-interest, and ignorance.
In my anger, I will remember. In my anger, I will continue to work for a world that is different from the one that destroyed so many lives and damaged the soul of humanity for eternity. And in my anger, I will pray. As we light our yellow candle tonight, I will pray the words I wrote many years ago:
by Rabbi R. Perlin, D.D.