To Proclaim Liberty Throughout the Land

( Reflections on the Haftorah to Mishpatim)

( Jeremiah 34:8 -22, 33:25-26)

“To proclaim liberty throughout the land

Unto all the inhabitants thereof”

Is the essence of being born free,

For each human being to choose life’s path.

No human being was born to serve another

But to live the noble path of freedom of choice

In harmony with the Divine covenant

As not to subjugate any other.

The history of franchisement imprints freedom

To ring throughout the land with a beacon of light.

To implant the Divinely bestowed right

Of emancipation to end servitude’s degeneration.

As Jeremiah rebukes the people

For enslaving those they had already freed,

They seal their own fate to exile;

And delay the promise of liberty throughout the land.

Until they awaken to the conscience

Of co-partnership in the covenant of freedom for all.