Turning off the Prophets' Road

I am in Jerusalem today, walking up the Street named for the Prophets — Ha’Nevim - this was a major road in the early 20th century as the Old City of Jerusalem opened up beyond the walls and when the British named this road for all the prophets what they had in mind was a modern city guided by the prophetic visions of a city of peace for all people.

Well. A hundred years later there is still much to be desired peace wise, and the road is not as fancy as it once was, but the visions of the prophets are still with us, guiding people with blueprints for what it could like if we all listened to the voices of reason, and justice, compassion and humility - and not just the power games that drive empires and nations towards eventual decline. 

Two months into this terrible war, with no end in sight, the words of the prophets have helped us remember human folly and human faith — reminding us that there must be another way, and a better day.

Today we begin our goodbyes to the prophets with whom we’ve traveled for many months on this Below the Bible Belt journey. 

With just two more chapter of Malachi next week — we thank the voices of those seers and poets, many of whom walked right along these hills.. maybe even on this very spot? 

We thank: 

Samuel

Nathan

Isaiah

Jeremiah

Ezekiel

Hosea

Joel

Amos

Obadiah

Jonah

Micah 

Nahum

Habakkuk

Zephaniah

Haggai

Zechariah

Malachi 

And though they do not have their own book, because, patriarchy: 

Deborah

Hulda 

And so many other women and men and likely two-spirit shamanic people in our history who were never named but were our people’s prophets and seers, offering comfort and consolation, criticism and tough love when needed too. 

The Talmud says:When the last prophets - Hagai Zechariah and Malachi died - prophecy died from Israel too. 

It became the property of fools, or children.. 

We still benefit from the wisdom of sages and teachers, and prophecy emerges through art and visions, courage and activism, poetic and political - we just may have to look a little harder and listen a bit more carefully. 

Next week we move over to the PSLAMS! A few months of the poetic to sustain our soul. 

From here in Jerusalem, the city in need of every prayer and vision of peace in the world — better days,

Shabbat Shalom.