Agents of God, Agents of Change

On Monday, we will commemorate the 89th birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recently, I had the chance to hear a recording of a sermon that Dr. King delivered to a Jewish audience at Temple Israel of Hollywood in February of 1965. What I found so interesting in that sermon was that the message was much more than an appeal against segregation, although that was part of it. His message was universal and very much in line with Jewish thinking. For example at one point Dr. King said, “We have allowed our technology to outdistance our theology.… We've made of the world a neighborhood, but we failed through moral commitment to make of it a brotherhood... What does it profit a man to gain the whole world of means -- airplanes, television, electric lights -- and lose the end, the soul?"

As members of the Jewish community, it is appropriate to acknowledge Dr. King’s concern for and support of worldwide Jewry. Dr. King felt a connection with the Jewish People and drew historical parallels between our experience in Egypt and the African American experience in America. Long before the plight of Soviet Jewry made headlines, Dr. King stated:

“I cannot stand idly by, even though I happen to live in the United States and even though I happen to be an American Negro and not be concerned about what happens to the Jews in Soviet Russia. For what happens to them happens to me and you, and we must be concerned.”

On Israel’s right to exist, Dr King said:

"peace for Israel means security, and we must stand with all our might to protect its right to exist, its territorial integrity. I see Israel as one of the great outposts of democracy in the world, and a marvelous example of what can be done, how desert land can be transformed into an oasis of brotherhood and democracy. Peace for Israel means security and that security must be a reality."

Finally, Dr. King appreciated the fact that Anti-Semitism will often try to disguise itself as opposition to Zionism. During an appearance at Harvard University shortly before his death, a student stood up and asked King to address himself to the issue of Zionism. The question was clearly hostile. Dr. King responded, "When people criticize Zionists they mean Jews, you are talking anti-Semitism."

 This last idea has gained increased visibility, and was prominently featured in the PBS documentary that aired this week on Anti-Semitism in the 21st century. 

Dr. King believed that he was involved in a holy endeavor and that his efforts were a fulfillment of G-d’s will. The very notion that a human being can serve as G-d’s messenger on Earth is introduced to us by Moshe Rabbeinu. As Rabbi Soloveitchik wrote, “Moses introduces a new motif into the God-man fellowship, namely that of Shelichut-agency. He becomes the divine angel who acts on behalf of God and represents Him.” It is not just Moshe or a Dr. King that serves this role. Each and every one of us serves as an agent of God. On the most basic level, we have all been enlisted to bring God’s Presence into this world through the performance of Chesed and Mitzvot.