To
My Dear Students,
Here
is the text of a prayer I offered at a recent
Commencement ceremony. I hope you can apply
its teachings in your life.
As
these precious students go forth from this memorable
day, may they know
that they must couple
the pursuit of information
with the quest for inspiration;
that while their minds
are full
their hearts should be
fuller;
that while education
is key to a comfortable existence
it must also be preparation
for a meaningful life;
that in striving for
the signs and tokens of physical abundance
spiritual values must
not suffer for inattention;
that although multitudes
surrender to the way things are
we must join to make
things as they ought to be;
that amidst material
advance
we cannot tolerate moral
retreat;
that while we are better
off than ever before
we should be better than
ever before;
that while engaged in
conquering what is distant
we cannot neglect what
is close at hand;
that in addition to feeling
good
they must also do good.
May
our young know there are subjects far more difficult
than algebra, chemistry, or physics: they
are honesty and morality, courage and strength,
compassion and humility, belief and reverence,
faith and piety.
In
the lifelong curriculum of character, may they
judge themselves not on what they have, but on
what they are, so that they may be not only successful,
but significant.
Shabbat
Shalom,
Your
Rabbi
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