December 2009 Archive

As we celebrate the holidays, let’s reflect on some of their meaning.

The term “holiday” comes from “Holy Days.” In today’s secular society the sense of the holy or sacred is for many no longer relevant. We have loss the sense of the sacred. However we may have lost more than what some consider as just an arcane religious concept. Losing the sense of the sacred has led many to a loss of meaning and of values.

There is a close connection between holiness and integrity. The etymology of the word “holy” comes from the 11th century old English word of “halig” which means uninjured, entire and complete. The etymology of the word “integrity” means one, whole and complete.

The philosopher Immanuel Kant believed that the moral law was sacred.

Prof. Antoine Vergote who studied in Paris with Claude Levi-Strauss and Jacques Lacan wrote in his book A Psychological Study of Religions, Belief and Unbelief that: “the sacred nature of moral law is derived from the sacred nature of the human person.” Even in a secular environment and in the media we often hear the expressions of “the sanctity of marriage” and the “sanctity of life.”

Our sense of what is right and wrong, of morality and ethics has deep roots in religious traditions. Rabbi Joseph Telushkin’s second volume of A Code of Jewish Ethics, is subtitled “Be Holy” making reference to the verse that says: “You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.” His book is not so much about the observance of Jewish laws and rituals but more about suggestions as to “how to improve our character and become more honest, decent and a just people.

This year, instead of making New Year’s resolutions, (that we very rarely observe anyway) why not make a list what is “sacred” to us or in another terminology, what we consider of the highest importance, what we value the most. Such a list might be very helpful in the decisions we make both in our private and professional life during the coming year.

Joseph Campbell wrote:

Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again.

Happy Holy Days!

The etymology of “hero” means protector and defender. The meaning of heroism usually includes the notion taking of risks, sometimes the ultimate risk of losing one’s life in order to protect someone. A hero is also inspiring, an example to follow and someone to be admired.Heroes sometime fall and disappoint us. Tiger Woods is the latest example. Rabbi Benjamin Blech asks the pertinent question: “Does morality play a role in the way we judge people…..?” I believe it does or at least it should because it is character that defines who a person is. We may appreciate someone’s gifts or art and yet not consider them as heroes or models because of the way they conduct their lives.

Two weeks ago CNN aired a special program called Heroes-Everyday People Changing the World. It was truly inspiring to hear and see the story of ten (non-celebrity) individuals who had accomplished great things in service to others. It is interesting to note that none of the winners thought of themselves as heroes. It is usually the case with real heroes.

Among the 10 heroes were:

• Efren Penaflorida from the Philippines who refused to join a gang when he was 16 years old, at the risk of losing his life but instead decided to devote his life to educating street kids living in the slumps. His has educated more the 1,500 children, teaching them how to read and write with a pushcart classroom.

• Brad Blauser, a civilian contractor in Iraq quite his job to spend his life delivering free wheelchairs to Iraqi children. His Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids program has distributed close to 650 wheelchairs so far. Brad is risking his life everyday doing why he knows is the right thing to do for him.

• Betty Makoni from Zimbabwe was raped at the age of six and not allowed, by her mother, to report the crime. Her tragic experience has led her to create the Girl Child Network who has provided a safe haven for more than 35,000 young victims of sexual abuse. She is speaking out against the so-called “virgin myth” that have people believe that a man with HIV or AIDS can be cured if he rapes a virgin.

These people and hundreds of thousands others like them have found a profound meaning in their lives.

We may not, because of our circumstances be given the opportunity to spend the rest of our lives doing such great things (although we should not close the door of our minds and heart to such a possibility.)

However we may face situations in our present private and professional lives where a punctual “heroic” action is called for. Sometimes “doing the right thing” involves taking risks and bearing a cost.

As Bob Dylan once said:

“I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom.”