While millions of Americans enjoy a day off for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a growing number will spend the day by lending a hand in their community.
A Jewish custom after a person passes away is to give charity in their memory; the Cabala explains, the soul can no longer do God’s commandments on the physical earth and therefore are unable to change their place in heaven – giving charity is a way to let the deceased live.
In the case of Dr. King, the custom has been to devote time on this day to help the community. For decades to come, perhaps for centuries, this man will be honored by people helping people – the greatest of all tribute. The greatest charity is helping others not to need charity.
Dr. King championed respect for the human being and encouraged his followers to be peaceful even in the face of brutal attacks with clubs and dogs; Dr. King never lost his dignity and in that all peoples became dignified – only in our uniqueness are peoples equal.
The generation who witnessed the great bravery of Dr. King gave birth to color-blind children who are now going out into their community and devoting a day in the memory of Dr. King. Though he used the platform and fervor of religion, his compassion is what we recall.
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