Whoever Saves One Life

Dedication: Remembrance

All:

All living things are one seamless body

and pass quickly from dark to dark.

We remember you who cared for us and are gone,

you who are ill,

you who are at war,

who are hungry and who are in pain—

may you heal and have peace.

Cantor:

We especially dedicate our service to:

All:

(Speak names of personal dedications)

All (sung—3 times):

Cross on over,

cross that river,

set us free

~ Pacific Zen Book of Sutras

I love old movies, and this past week again watched Schindler’s List (1993), the Steven Spielberg film about a Czech man, Oskar Schindler, who during World War saved 1,100 Polish Jews from deportation to the Auschwitz death camp by employing them in his factory. Toward the end of the film, the war has ended, and Schindler’s employees present him with a gold ring (forged from a dental bridge in one man’s mouth), which is inscribed with a Hebrew quote from the Talmud: “Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire.” Schindler breaks down, crying: “I could have got more out”, pointing to his gold watch, which might have bought one more life.

On this weekend of remembrance, we all should try to save a life. Beginning with our own.