Power, Humility and MLK



Beginning the new semester on the day that honors and commemorates Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. has special meaning. Each semester symbolizes the next step in one’s academic
journey. For Dr. King and others, the images of steps and journeys were integral in their
struggle to build a better society. In reality, journeys vary in many ways. Some are routine.
Others are towards a goal. There are journeys for enjoyment and rejuvenation. Many are
difficult and require strength, perseverance, and fortitude.

When I think of Dr. King and his work, I also connect with many who marched along side
of him. The Civil Rights movement was built on active coalitions of those who were actively
affected by the changes in our country along with allies who realized that oppression of any
group is oppression of all. That should remind us that any injustices committed against other
people cannot be ignored.

During this period of the struggle led by Dr. King, many people of faith joined with him.
Amongst these people were Jews, including rabbis, who heard his call and came to actively
participate in the work that needed to be done. Some rabbis were beaten, some put in jail.
Individual Jews were even murdered. Many marched with Dr. King.

In Selma, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel linked arms and was noticeable in the first line
of participants in March of 1965. He was quoted as saying, “For many of us the march from
Selma to Montgomery was about protest and prayer. Legs are not lips and walking is not
kneeling. And yet our legs uttered songs. Even without words, our march was worship. I felt
my legs were praying.” (Recounted by his daughter Dr. Susannah Heschel, “Following in my
father’s footsteps: Selma 40 years later.”)

Rabbi Heschel’s quote, “I felt my legs were praying,” has stirred generations to know
that prayer alone might not be sufficient. Action is also a necessary part of creating change.
Often it requires putting ourselves on the line. While prayer is an important spiritual element in
the lives of many individuals, sometimes it might not be enough.

We do not know if Heschel realized that a similar statement regarding praying with one’s legs
was also attributed to Frederick Douglass. Douglass was quoted as saying, “I prayed for twenty
years but received no answer until I prayed with my legs.” Yet we can be sure that the struggle
faced by Douglass, King, and Heschel has not ended. Erika Davis wrote, “…in these 60 years
while much has changed in regards to racial equality, we still do not live in a world that is
racially equal. The institutionalized and systematic racism in our country exists because we
allow it to with our complacency and our willingness to look the other way…” (Praying With Our
Legs in 2017)

Professor Sara Ronis wrote, “Power is famously dangerous — it can lead to a disconnect
from the less powerful, a lack of empathy and megalomania. It takes intention and effort to
remember one’s responsibility to the world and one’s fellow humans … With ultimate power
comes ultimate humility. How ultimate? We’re talking about God." 

She cites a passage in the Talmud (BT Megillah 31a), “Rabbi Yohanan said: Wherever you find the might of the Holy One, Blessed be God, you find God’s humility.” “Rabbi Yochanan notes that when the Hebrew Bible mentions God’s ultimate power and authority, the next verse in some way demonstrates God’s humility. And this is found in all three sections of the Hebrew Bible: Torah, Prophets and Writings.”

As this semester begins each of us can reflect on the individual abilities and power we
have that can enable change for the better. Let us use our own power, always remembering
that power needs to be tempered with kindness, justice, concern for others, and humility.


Shalom
Rabbi Alan J. Katz

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