THERE is a divine dream which the prophets and the rabbis have cherished and which fills out prayers, and permeates the acts of true piety. It is the dream of a world, rid of evil by the grace of God as well as by [our] efforts...to the task of establishing the kingship of God in the world. God is waiting for us to redeem the world. We should not spend our life hunting for trivial satisfactions while God is waiting constantly and keenly for our effort and devotion.
The Almighty has not created the universe that we may have opportunities to satisfy our greed, envy, and ambition We have not survived that we may waste our years in vulgar vanities. The martyrdom of millions demands that we consecrate ourselves to the fulfillment of God's dream of salvation. Israel did not accept the Torah of their own free will. When Israel approached Sinai, God lifted up the mountain and held it over their heads, saying: "Either you accept the Torah or be crushed beneath the mountain."
The mountain of history is over our heads again. Shall we renew the covenant with God?
--Abraham Herschel
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