Does the Torah contain universal wisdom? This is a question that I am frequently asked by other clergy.

I like to point out that we are blessed with a wonderful faculty that we call memory. Torah tell us not to forget the things we have seen and experienced on the trek to the Land of Israel.

So perhaps the motivating notion here in the torah is about remembering.

I wonder then how we can look at memory and see what it does for us.

What do we fear the most. For each it is something else. But to be sure when we recall how the past has treated us and when in fact it has gone well for us then I think we can argue that memory helps in a great way.

How shall we model our behaviour? We have the images of those who have gone before to help guide and steer us in the right direction.

How shall we measure the depth of our lives in the daily experiences that sometimes removes that element from our midst. We have become so used to facts and figures and spreadsheets, and monkey polls and the like that it is easier to deal with statistics than with real facts.

What becomes the central message of Judaism “vahavta reyecha kamocha’ –love your neighbor as yourself”—We must remember to show kindness to those around us even when it appears that this kindness may be met with doubt and bitterness.