(Israelnationalnews.com) I dovined this morning in Young Israel of Long Beach, New York and got into a conversation with a beautiful retirement-age Jew there who explained to me with great passion about his yearning for world peace. He wrote a poem about flight, space exploration, and missiles back in 1961 when the topic was hot.
Albert, my newfound friend-dreamer, expressed his pain that humanity won't just seize the opportunity of technological advance to make the world a better place to live in, but rather evil people take scientific breakthroughs only to further destruction in the world.
There was something very pure about hearing Albert's vision coming not from an anti-nuclear protester at a Greenpeace demonstration, but from an elderly Jew who is imbued with an almost-childish yearning for G-d to see his children doing only good.
I salute Albert's spiritual quest and share with you his inspiring poem:
Threshold of Space
I stand by the open window and there I look.
For another chapter of mankind
Is to be added to one book.
Seemeth the heavens open up for all to explore
To be probed deeper and father than ever before.
Wonders shall be seen by this living dust
By those who travel forth with He, as his trust.
But before one journeyeth
Where mortal steppeth not ever
Maketh certain that he is ready and clever.
For the realm where he many enter, truly in awe
May never allow him to close this new door.
For the realm where he may enter, truly in awe
Hopefully will inspire all to live
In the Creator's universe
Peacefully forever more.
C. ALbert B. Landau