Summary: <p>Whenever there is a mass shooting in our country, including last Saturday in El Paso and Dayton, there is this civic ritual where leaders of both parties say that they <em>are sending thoughts and prayers to the victims and their families. </em> How are we to understand this? Is this helpful?</p> <p>There is a cynical read. We send thoughts and prayers <em>in lieu of action</em>. We send thoughts and prayers <em>in lieu of fixing the problem</em>, which is why the nightmare of mass shootings in our country continually recurs. I get the cynical read. It has a certain plausibility.</p> <p>But this morning I want to try to make the case for a non-cynical read. I want to try to make the case that thoughts and prayers are not only helpful, but essential.</p> <p>Follow this link to view the sermon and watch the live streaming version on our website <a href="https://www.templeemanuel.com/rabbi/rabbi-wes-gardenswartz/sending-thoughts-and-prayers/">https://www.templeemanuel.com/rabbi/rabbi-wes-gardenswartz/sending-thoughts-and-prayers/</a></p>
