In spite of all similarities, every living situation has, like a newborn child, a new face, that has never been before and will never come again. It demands of you a reaction that cannot be prepared beforehand. It demands nothing of what is past. It demands presence, responsibility; it demands you.
Martin BuberEvery person born into the world represents something new, something that never existed before, something original and unique....If there had been someone like her in the world, there would have been no need for her to be born." --Martin Buber as quoted in Narrative Means for Sober Ends, by Jon Diamond, p.78
Martin BuberThe true meaning of love one's neighbor is not that it is a command from God which we are to fulfill, but that through it and in it we meet God.
Martin BuberGod wants man to fulfill his commands as a human being and with the quality peculiar to human beings.
Martin BuberEclipse of the light of heaven, eclipse of God - such indeed is the character of the historic hour through which the world is now passing
Martin BuberMeet the world with the fullness of your being, and you shall meet God. Of you wish to believe, love.
Martin BuberIn the story of the Creation we read: ". . . And behold, it was very good." But, in the passage where Moses reproves Israel, the verse says: "See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil." Where did the evil come from? Evil too is good. It is the lowest rung of perfect goodness. If you do good deeds, even evil will become good; but if you sin, evil will really become evil.
Martin Buber