There are some thoughts that might come to us when we are on our own and living in fear that could not be conceived when we are with others and feeling comfortable. Who are the secure to judge those living with insecurity?
In our parashsa, Jacob’s isolation is one of utter fear....In this instance, I forgive Jacob his apparent bargaining with God. For in the solitude of fear, who are we to judge the prayers, the vows, the pleas of utter desperation, even the demands on God? One person who has now been in solitary confinement for 1252 days is Gilad Shalit...
We do not know the prayers, the vows, the pleas of utter desperation, even the demands on God that Gilda Shalit has uttered these past 1252 days. I cannot conceive of his position nor hear word of theological judgement of them.
Full text at http://www.npls.org.uk/Sermons/New/Vayetze%205770.html
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