Rabbi Erin Boxt
A Surprise Phone Call with God
Tossing and turning, most of the night, I was awakened this morning by my phone ringing.
I grabbed my phone and read “God” in the caller ID.
Not really completely awake, I answered, “Hello, God??”
There was no response at first…and then a voice that was neither feminine nor masculine
“Erin - good morning. This is God calling.”
“Ummm, ok. Hi God….”
“I understand why you are skeptical. But I promise you are not crazy. אהיה אשר אהיה.”
“How should I address you? What name do you prefer?”
“God works fine…for now.”
“God, I have so many questions - I do not even know where to start.”
“Well, Erin, I have come to speak with you about Charlie Kirk and yesterday’s murder.”
“Charlie Kirk? Really? What about the school shootings in Colorado, Minneapolis…”
“Erin - do you think one murder is more significant than another?
“Well, of course not, God. But Charlie Kirk really said some nasty things about people…”
“Do you think his kids or his wife are responsible for his words?”
“No, but…”
“No buts, Erin. Murder is murder; one death is just as terrible as another.”
“Remember how I responded to the Israelites celebrating the demise of the Egyptians?
“Yes, you were upset at the Israelites.”
“Why? What was the lesson I was trying to teach?”
“I get it, God. What about the innocent children? What about the hate that others felt?”
“Erin - take a breath and relax for a moment. I take all of these things very seriously.
Charlie Kirk did not deserve to be murdered for his opinions - no matter how hateful.
Those innocent children in all of the school shootings did not deserve to be murdered.
The Minnesota congresswoman and her husband did not deserve to be murdered.
So many murders…have humans forgotten the 10 Commandments?
לא תרצח - Do not murder
I could not be any clearer on that one…perhaps I overestimated human understanding.”
“That is an understatement, God.” (I wanted to chuckle, but thought better of it)
“Erin - I gave humans free will for a reason. I just did not expect so much murder.
But, in reality, murder is only one negative ‘side effect’ of free will.
That discussion is for another time. Erin, get out there, be with your people. Help them.
Remind them to love each other; remind them of the foundation of Judaism…”
As I hung up the phone, I paused to think…for what seemed like forever.
It was only about 2 minutes, but it felt so much longer.
וְאָֽהַבְתָּ֥ לְרֵעֲךָ֖ כָּמ֑וֹךָ - “Love your fellow/neighbor as yourself.”
Such a simple rule - how have we forgotten?
Today, as every day, remember those simple words. If you can’t love…at least do not hate.
It is ok to disagree with others…do not turn what you think is their hate upon them.
Show your love…perhaps then we can walk away, not in agreement, but also not in hate.
We are better - we can do better - we must do better - FOR OUR CHILDREN!
I grabbed my phone and read “God” in the caller ID.
Not really completely awake, I answered, “Hello, God??”
There was no response at first…and then a voice that was neither feminine nor masculine
“Erin - good morning. This is God calling.”
“Ummm, ok. Hi God….”
“I understand why you are skeptical. But I promise you are not crazy. אהיה אשר אהיה.”
“How should I address you? What name do you prefer?”
“God works fine…for now.”
“God, I have so many questions - I do not even know where to start.”
“Well, Erin, I have come to speak with you about Charlie Kirk and yesterday’s murder.”
“Charlie Kirk? Really? What about the school shootings in Colorado, Minneapolis…”
“Erin - do you think one murder is more significant than another?
“Well, of course not, God. But Charlie Kirk really said some nasty things about people…”
“Do you think his kids or his wife are responsible for his words?”
“No, but…”
“No buts, Erin. Murder is murder; one death is just as terrible as another.”
“Remember how I responded to the Israelites celebrating the demise of the Egyptians?
“Yes, you were upset at the Israelites.”
“Why? What was the lesson I was trying to teach?”
“I get it, God. What about the innocent children? What about the hate that others felt?”
“Erin - take a breath and relax for a moment. I take all of these things very seriously.
Charlie Kirk did not deserve to be murdered for his opinions - no matter how hateful.
Those innocent children in all of the school shootings did not deserve to be murdered.
The Minnesota congresswoman and her husband did not deserve to be murdered.
So many murders…have humans forgotten the 10 Commandments?
לא תרצח - Do not murder
I could not be any clearer on that one…perhaps I overestimated human understanding.”
“That is an understatement, God.” (I wanted to chuckle, but thought better of it)
“Erin - I gave humans free will for a reason. I just did not expect so much murder.
But, in reality, murder is only one negative ‘side effect’ of free will.
That discussion is for another time. Erin, get out there, be with your people. Help them.
Remind them to love each other; remind them of the foundation of Judaism…”
As I hung up the phone, I paused to think…for what seemed like forever.
It was only about 2 minutes, but it felt so much longer.
וְאָֽהַבְתָּ֥ לְרֵעֲךָ֖ כָּמ֑וֹךָ - “Love your fellow/neighbor as yourself.”
Such a simple rule - how have we forgotten?
Today, as every day, remember those simple words. If you can’t love…at least do not hate.
It is ok to disagree with others…do not turn what you think is their hate upon them.
Show your love…perhaps then we can walk away, not in agreement, but also not in hate.
We are better - we can do better - we must do better - FOR OUR CHILDREN!