Last October, I was part of a political action to pressure a local prison to end its partnership with ICE.

As we arrived, I looked up: Detainees were flicking on and off their lights, waving, pressing hand-written signs against the windows of their cells.

The Torah refers to asylum seekers, as gerim: Aliens. Sojourners. Strangers.

How are we to treat people with little power, the rabbis ask, people far away from their own families and communities?

This week’s Torah portion answers:

“You shall not wrong the ger, nor shall you oppress him; for you were gerim in the land of Egypt.”

This is the first of thirty-six times the Torah repeats lo tonu – “do not oppress the stranger.” Remember you are a nation of immigrants, recall your ancestors who fled ancient Egypt, Czarist Russia, Nazi Germany. Don’t build walls that cut you off from those memories.

Rather, let these memories expand your hearts across the borders that threaten to cut you off from your past. Let’s welcome those now seeking asylum from violence and uncertainty, who yearn to link their future to ours.

After we went to the prison warden to deliver our demands, we turned and lifted our hands up towards the detainees.

As we did, we began to recite the Priestly Blessing.

The detainees pressed their hands against the windows of their cells, as if we could touch palms to palms in prayer.

This Shabbat, let’s expand our hearts. We don’t need walls of greed and xenophobia.

We can accept Shabbat’s invitation to live now inside the promise of a healed and whole world.

As I recite the Priestly Blessing, a blessing of love and protection, receive it deep into the well of your being, letting anything in you that feels separate or undeserving of this blessing dissolve in the power of its ancient words.

Yiverechecha v’yishmarecha – may you feel safe and protected.

Y’air Adonai panav eleycha v’yichuneka – may the universe shine upon you, making you feel gracious and beautiful.

Yisa Adonai panav elecha, v’yasem lecha shalom – may God look your way, blessing you with peace and serenity, spaciousness and acceptance.

May we break down walls with the energy of the blessings we’ve received, extending them to all who need them.

Ken yehi ratzon. May it be so.