History in the Remaking

It is not often that one lives through a moment of transformative history and knows at the time that this is so. September 11, 2001, was such a day, of course, and November 4, 2008, may prove to be another. Republican or Democrat, black or white, Jew or Christian, adherent of other religions or no religion at all, the sense of turning a corner, taking a chance on hope, embracing an unknown future, moving toward unity, was unmistakable.

For Jews, the election and its aftermath come in the week when the Torah portion tells us that Abraham acted on a divine command to "leave your native land, your birthplace, your father's house, for a land that I will show you." Abraham takes with him God's promise of blessing for himself, his family, and, through them, of all humanity. Little comes of sitting at home or standing still in the biblical account. Everything depends on journeys undertaken by responsible individuals who are joined in strong bonds to family and community. Sacrifice and trial are inevitable. Human error is inevitable. And so is sin. Together, however, we are capable of great things and we must do them. For history matters, life is precious, and the world must and can be repaired. We are commanded to build societies of justice and compassion with God in their midst.

John McCain's gracious concession speech captured the promise and resolve of a nation that has repeatedly embarked on such journeys and has time after time proved capable of achievement beyond anything the past gave license to expect. Change is not only necessary at moments like the present but possible: step by painful step and then, all of a sudden, with dramatic speed. The Americans of both parties who voted this week know, as Abraham did, that disappointment can and will come. Life is like that. But there is a time for hope, along with every other purpose, under heaven.

Embracing a moment such as this one means committing ourselves to its fulfillment. This generation of Americans will not see the final outcome of what we undertake in the next four years in terms of fundamental issues such as global warming, health care, or a new economic order. But we did, perhaps, initiate a change of lasting importance. We have not given up on the world or on leadership of the world. We have reaffirmed obligations to each other. With God's help, we may prove even more than in the past a blessing "to all the families of the earth."

By Arnold M. Eisen  |  November 10, 2008; 8:47 AM ET  | Category:  Religion & Politics
Share This: Technorati | Del.icio.us | Digg | Facebook
Previous: We All Earned the Puppy | Next: Obama's New Weather Forecast

Posted by: ThomasBaum | November 10, 2008 10:13 AM
Report Offensive Comment

Posted by: sparrow4 | November 9, 2008 10:05 AM
Report Offensive Comment

The comments to this entry are closed.