Tikkun Olam: Mending the Universe

Tikkun olam is an important Jewish phrase meaning 'mending the universe' or 'repairing the world'. It calls for actions and attitudes which create social justice, peace and reconciliation, reversing the degradation of the natural world.

I admire the Jewish tendency to make a deep connection between their spirituality (however they define it) and their political, social life. Of course, Jewish institutions, especially the nation of Israel, are no more successful than those of other faiths at translating that connection into reality. But they know what their faith tradition requires of them: to allow their deep spiritual tradition to lead them to a commitment to heal and transform the world.

You might wish to investigate Tikkun Magazine, edited by Rabbi Michael Lerner, anti-war activist and social progressive.

The January 2007 edition of the Utne Reader said:

In November, Rabbi Michael Lerner's erudite rejoinder to the religious right released Tikkun Reader: Twentieth Anniversary (Rowman & Littlefield) to showcase memorable essays from the bimonthly magazine's all-star cast of contributors: Naomi Wolf on "Starting on My Spiritual Path." Jim Wallis facing down fear, post 9/11. Lama Surya Das ruminating on the timeless value of nonviolence. Peter Gabel on "Spiritualizing Foreign Policy."
Revisiting these intellectually rigorous, often deeply moving works concerning our society's collective soul (or lackthereof), we were reminded why Tikkun routinely makes our short list of nominees (eight times since 1989, when it won top honors). Besides challenging people of all faiths ... "to mend, repair, and transform the world," the magazine has made it a mission to stay in the face of what Lerner calls the "values neutral" secular left.
Both messages are invaluable. The executive branch is still beholden to fundamentalists, the globe is once again a battleground of rigid religious belief systems, and progressives still don't know how to keep the faith. Over the past year, Tikkun has not only adeptly analyzed this reality, it has also articulated a pragmatic vision for change.

Lerner has also recently published a book titled The Left Hand of God: Taking our Country Back From the Religious Right. He says the "right hand of God" is an image of power and domination, central to the American political right's world view and co-option of the religious right. The "left hand of God", conversely, is the prophetic image of both the Hebrew Bible and Christian New Testament: an image of compassion, justice, service and peace. It needs to become an energizing image both for religion and the political left. I think he is talking about Canada almost as much as the USA.

By the way, for you western Canadians out there, Rabbi Lerner is to be in Castlegar, BC, July 5th-8th for the second annual Our Way Home Reunion, a celebration of the Vietnam War resisters and the Canadians who helped them.

The Tikkun Community says of itself:

We are an international community of people of many faiths calling for social justice and political freedom in the context of new structures of work, caring communities, and democratic social and economic arrangements. We seek to influence public discourse in order to inspire compassion, generosity, non-violence and recognition of the spiritual dimensions of life.

If that rings any bells for you, consider checking the book, the magazine, or the community. Consider your own spirituality, however you define and experience it. Does it motivate and energize your concern for justice, peace and the healing of the world? Do you find in it a source of strength and wisdom? Does it connect you with others with whom you can reflect and decide and act?

Lerner and the Tikkun Community are pulling together a Network of Spiritual Progressives, connecting people of all faiths and no organized faith who recognize the importance of their spiritual roots and experience and the need for a common voice in mending the world.

Consider this: tikkun olam - mending the universe, bringing justice and peace to the world and to the environment. What part can you and I play?