Rabbi Levinsky Sermon: April 10
Radical Compassion
There are moments when compassion comes naturally, when we see someone struggling and feel called to respond. But compassion does not only move outward. It also needs to be directed inward. Many of us carry a quiet habit of self-judgment, holding onto small mistakes as if they define us. Jewish tradition asks us to take account of our lives, but it also reminds us that judgment alone is not enough. It must be tempered with mercy. This Shabbat invites us to consider how we speak to ourselves. Yes, we need to be honest. That’s the only way we can become better selves. We also need to be gentle about that process. It’s that balance that shapes the way we live and relate to others.
