Rising Above our Differences

As I was driving home Thursday afternoon, I was thinking about what I would write in this column. Suddenly I looked up to the sky and was surprised by the site of a double rainbow.

As followers of the teachings of the Baal Shemtov, my family and I embrace the fundamental concept that there are no "coincidences" in life. Everything we see and hear has a lesson for us if we choose to receive it.

I had never seen a double rainbow before. I thought to myself what could the lesson be, why a double rainbow at this moment in time? On the radio I was listening to the vice Presidential candidates in the midst of their debate, and suddenly it struck me.

Our great country was founded based on the concept of a rainbow. A multi-colored spectrum banded together by one unifying light. As a Jewish person I have extraordinary appreciation for the creation of this country, a country whose foundation is built on human liberty and tolerance.

The United States of America is a place where people of all faiths, colors and creed can find security among their fellow freedom loving countrymen. We are "One nation under G-d," banded together regardless of our differences. Our country is really an example of the rainbow.

As the economy cries out for bright ideas and old fashioned wisdom to provide more jobs, as our world faces the real threat of nuclear weapons in the hands of those who openly state their evil intentions to wreak havoc in the lives of innocent people, as our communities become more divided in their ideologies or political preferences, we are called upon, to accept that we are one people with many differences, just like a rainbow with many colors.

The rainbow reminds us that these differences can also be our strength, because when we allow the One light that unites to shine through our differences, we get to experience the beauty like the beauty of a rainbow.

As the elections draw near many differences of opinion are being presented. One thing is for sure, when we open ourselves to others' opinions and ideas, different from our own, we open up to a brighter future. Notwithstanding who takes the reins of our country, if we truly desire to move forward and commit ourselves to the change that our times require, we would be wise to reach beyond our differences so we can be, as our country has always been like the shining light of the rainbow.

Shabbat Shalom!