Repairing the Walls

After Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BC, the Temple was laid waste and the walls of the city were broken down. The once-proud city of David was in a shambles and its remaining people were destitute and starving.

Nearly 150 years later, a Jewish man serving the king of Persia, was given an impossible dream — to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city. After securing permission and support from the Persian king, Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem and in an astounding 52 days, rebuilt the city walls. He faced opposition and enemies but he trusted God and kept working.

The world is full of broken places and destitute and starving people. God gives each of us a part of the work of restoration. The Jewish rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson once said, “If you see what needs to be repaired and how to repair it, then you have found a piece of the world that God has left for you to complete. But if you only see what is wrong and how ugly it is, then it is you yourself that needs repair.” May we each see our part, have an idea how to fix it and then have the courage and will to do it.

• What repairs does the world need? Is there a particular repair you can envision making?

FAMILY FIELD TALK