Western culture in its Anglo-Saxon form is in itself nothing but an indirect descendant of the original Hebrew tradition.

Western democracy is conceived and this world is built upon three concepts, individual morality, social justice and international peace. But where were those concepts produced, when were they proclaimed? They were proclaimed by the people of Israel in the land of Israel, through the language of Israel, in the previous eras of Israel’s independence.

We reflect not with boastfulness, but with deep humility that there is nothing original or essential in what we call Western civilization, which you cannot trace back to the hills and valleys of our country, to the rare spirits and immortal voices which issued forth from it.

You do not, therefore, do justice to the facts when you describe Israel as a part of the cause of freedom and democracy. Israel is the father of freedom and the ancestor of the elements out of which democracy is born.

Abba Eban, in an address at Temple Israel of Lawrence.

Personal autonomy, the cornerstone of liberal Jewish thought, is viewed by some as an obstacle to creating a true relationship with God. However, autonomy is actually the foundation of a covenantal relationship. Maimonides emphasizes this idea in a powerful statement: “If God had decreed that a person should be either righteous or wicked...what room would there be for the whole of the Torah?” It is Free Will that makes the poetry of the prophets so soulful, the dance in the desert so joyful and the prayers that we utter music to God’s ear.

Rabbi Klein associate rabbi,

Temple Isaiah, Los Angeles, Calif.

Belief in God teaches us that life is more than it appears to be. The Baal Shem Tov, founder of Chasidism, taught:

“The world is full of miracles. But when you take a tiny fist and cover your eyes, then you do not see a thing.”

Rabbi Harold Kushner has put it this way:

“Religion properly understood is not a series of beliefs about God. It is an inventory of moments in our lives, things we do and things that happen to us, in which the person whose eyes are open will be able to see God.”

“God is subtle, but He is not malicious.”

Albert Einstein

To bring up a child in the way he should go, you have to travel that way yourself once in a while.”

Henry Wheeler Shaw