I’m reading about the great Jewish texts these days, and find that the Rabbis often say beautiful things. This is from Qid 72b: “Mar said… No righteous person goes out of the world before a similar righteous person has been created. For it says, ‘The sun rises and the sun sets (Eccl. 1.5).’ Before Eli’s sun set, Samuel’s sun rose at Ramah. (Referring to the opening of 1 Samuel)”
Evil does break into the world, yes. But God does not let that stand in the way of holiness. For generations, the story tells us, the high priests descended from Aaron were faithful. Then, the high priest Eli’s sons turned toward selfishness and abuse of power. God did not let that end the presence of goodness and beauty in Israel. God raised up Samuel, a miraculous gift to his mother Hannah, and and placed his Spirit on him instead.
This is what God does. Sometimes, acting with integrity, standing for truth and love, sowing seeds of joy— All this can seem like nothing in the face of all the insanity and evil. But Rabbi Mar’s saying is sure: Every time we foster holiness, however small, God ensures that tiny drop of good will never leave the world. We may die, but our holiness lives on.
Injustice cannot endure. Love always does.