"Through my own strength and ability, I have accomplished this great thing"
Deutoronomy 8:17.
I don't usually pull quotes from the Torah out of my back pocket, but this is one they teach you when you're young to always remember: the Israelites are warned that they will be tempted to see the fruit of their labor as their own accomplishments, and God reminds them that they should never get arrogant and over-confident, because everything is in the hands of God. Nothing is ever accomplished without some kind of Divine providence (the extent of Divine providence can and always will be debated- i.e., how much free will do we actually have, etc.) and we shouldn't forget that when feeling proud about our successes.
If you're even minimally aware of the news, then you've probably already seen some of the coverage of the terrible devestation that has occurred in the South from Hurricane Katrina. Reading the articles and seeing the pictures, one can't help but feel small and powerless. But just reading this article in today's New York Times, the above quote immediately popped into my head. Just look at the headline: "After Centuries of 'Controlling' Land, Gulf Learns Who's the Boss." And this quote:
The article ends by stating the obvious sad reality:
Tens of thousands will be homeless for some time. Lives have been lost and ruined. At times like these, when there really isn't anything most of us can do but sit and watch and donate money to help rebuild, I find it cathartic to examine my own life and actions, and remind myself how much I actually hold no control over. But those things I can control...
I don't usually pull quotes from the Torah out of my back pocket, but this is one they teach you when you're young to always remember: the Israelites are warned that they will be tempted to see the fruit of their labor as their own accomplishments, and God reminds them that they should never get arrogant and over-confident, because everything is in the hands of God. Nothing is ever accomplished without some kind of Divine providence (the extent of Divine providence can and always will be debated- i.e., how much free will do we actually have, etc.) and we shouldn't forget that when feeling proud about our successes.
If you're even minimally aware of the news, then you've probably already seen some of the coverage of the terrible devestation that has occurred in the South from Hurricane Katrina. Reading the articles and seeing the pictures, one can't help but feel small and powerless. But just reading this article in today's New York Times, the above quote immediately popped into my head. Just look at the headline: "After Centuries of 'Controlling' Land, Gulf Learns Who's the Boss." And this quote:
Although early travelers realized the irrationality of building a port on shifting mud in an area regularly ravaged by storms and disease, the opportunities to make money overrode all objections.Far be it for me to judge those who have worked hard building lives and communities in that area; what in the world do I know already? But what other assessment can we come to?
The article ends by stating the obvious sad reality:
"With billions of dollars sunk into the soil in southern Louisiana and the Gulf Coast," Dr. Kelman said, "it's kind of too late. We're there, and we're staying there."
Tens of thousands will be homeless for some time. Lives have been lost and ruined. At times like these, when there really isn't anything most of us can do but sit and watch and donate money to help rebuild, I find it cathartic to examine my own life and actions, and remind myself how much I actually hold no control over. But those things I can control...
posted by elanit | 9:35 AM
2 Comments:
I hear ya... Same thoughts pop into my head when reading, year after year, about all the people who lose their homes and belongings in Florida due to hurricanes... Year after year, they are devestated, and year after year, they keep coming back, building more, setting themselves up for more disappointment and heartache when it all gets lost to the wind and the sea... again and again...
The question I have to ask is this: given that the gulf coast is a particularly inhosipitable place, from an environmental perspective, why exactly should we rebuild there? Most of New Orleans was below sea level three weeks ago, and it's below sea level today - the difference is that the sea isn't being kept back the way it usually is.
According to CNN, some parts of the city are under 20 feet of water.
Why should we rebuild there, when it will happen again all too soon? Why not rebuild somewhere else (like, uphill...)
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