"For the earth that burns, may healing rains fall swiftly."

Rituals have the power to mark or to move us through transitions. Sometimes they take the form of a long, thoughtfully-planned ceremony, such as a wedding, conversion, or baby naming. Other times, they bubble up in a short, spontaneous prayer—such as before a meal or in a moment of pain or celebration. We can look to our biblical texts for examples of both, whether reading about the carefully proscribed Temple rituals or Moses’ impromptu plea for healing on behalf of

"May the One who blessed our common ancestor Abraham bless and heal his children..."

the stronghold / is a brook / that babbles inside our selves

Our most holy texts make it clear that we may not stand idly by while violence is perpetrated in our midst.