universal truths

The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King was one of the greatest individuals our nation has had the honor of knowing. While there were many who bristled as his message, there were more who knew that it was rooted in the universal truths preached by the Prophets of Israel centuries earlier.

The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King was one of the greatest individuals our nation has had the honor of knowing. While there were many who bristled as his message, there were more who knew that it was rooted in the universal truths preached by the Prophets of Israel centuries earlier. Dr. King's sermons were renowned for their ability to transform his congregation. On this Shabbat weekend on which our country observes the birthday of Dr. King, I want to share with you an excerpt of one of his great sermons that is less familiar than the "I have dream" speech.

"If you want to be important - wonderful. If you want to be recognized - wonderful. If you want to be great - wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.

That's a new definition of greatness. And this morning, the thing that I like about it: by giving that definition of greatness, it means that everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don't have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don't have to know Einstein's theory of relativity to serve. You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love. And you can be that servant."

(Delivered at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia, on 4 February 1968.

These words are as relevant today as they were in 1968, and they speak not only to the community in Atlanta, but can resonate with every one of us who dedicated our commitments to our community, as well.

I wish you not only a Shabbat Shalom, a peaceful weekend, but a Shabbat during which you might find a few moments to consider the great men and women who have given of their very souls and lives so that ALL of us might enjoy the freedoms of our nation's promise. And I encourage you to discover how you, too, might find opportunities to serve - your congregation, your nation, your world.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Joseph M. Forman