Posted by Rabbi Marla Feldman, Director of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism. This article originally appeared in Ten Minutes of Torah.

This week, we are particularly reminded of the legacy of our prophets, as both the secular and Jewish calendars feature themes related to justice. Not only do we commemorate the life and message of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., but we also observe the yahrzeit of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, who inspired so many Jewish social justice activists. In describing how he felt about marching with Dr. King in Selma, Rabbi Heschel famously said that he felt as if his feet were praying. Social action is the prayer that we offer with our hands and our feet; the prayers we offer by rolling up our sleeves and working on behalf of the poor and needy, by marching for justice and by speaking truth to power.

And reinforcing these themes this week is our Torah portion, Parashat Shemot, which begins the saga of the Exodus -- the tale of redemption from slavery and the struggle for freedom and justice that defines our people. We are introduced to Moses in this parashah. Moses, our greatest prophet, survives the cruelty of Pharoah's evil decree by the brave and righteous civil disobedience of the midwives and the compassion and mercy of Pharoah's own daughter.

But what is perhaps most remarkable about the Torah's depiction of our greatest leader is that, unlike the myths of other civilizations, Moses is no super-hero. He is neither god-like nor particularly brave or strong or wise. He stumbles, he makes mistakes; he runs away from his problems and tries to avoid responsibility. Yet, when he witnesses a slave in danger, he intercedes to save a life, risking his own. He gallantly steps in to protect his future bride when other shepherds prevented her from drawing water. And when he hears strange voices is the desert night and he sees an impossible vision of a bush burning unconsumed, he recognizes the power of God in his life.

Though he demurs when called, doubting that anyone would listen to him, at the end of the day Moses summons his courage and chokes down his fear in order to Speak Truth to Power. Over and over Moses stands before Pharoah, facing the greatest power on earth, to demand nothing less than freedom for his people.

Our story is about a person just like us, who becomes a great leader because he recognizes injustice and he has the courage to hear God's voice and the fortitude to speak up, despite his uncertainty and his fears.

Which, of course, brings to mind the American hero we remember this week, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who also brought a message of freedom for his people; a modern-day prophet who spoke truths some did not want to hear, who risked his life to preach that message nonetheless.

King's message was about more than civil rights... he was an ardent defender of economic justice, bridging the dreadful gap between haves and have-nots, raising up the poorest among us to reach the fullness of their potential. He was opposed to war, not only because of the terrible death and destruction it brings, but also because it deflects our efforts away from addressing the terrible ills of society that exist in our own neighborhoods.

King's legacy continues to inspire us as Americans and as fellow travelers in the march toward justice and peace. His dream... that one day all children will live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character... remains a vision of what the future can be, but not yet the reality for which we hope and pray.

The annual commemoration of Dr. King's life was instituted to serve as a reminder that his work is not yet complete, and it is our task to carry his message into the 21st Century.

And we certainly have our work cut out for us!

For many of us, the recent hurricanes exposed the scope of poverty and injustice in this country, and the message that we ought not continue business as usual. We can no longer ignore the gross disparity between rich and poor or the implications of race and bad public policy.

I recently returned from New Orleans, and though I was inspired by the resilience of those who have returned to rebuild their lives and their community, I was profoundly disturbed to see how little progress has been made. Four months after the hurricanes there is still no electricity in some areas, there are only 2 of 9 hospitals operational; only one public school has reopened; and 300,000 homes remain uninhabitable. The bankrupt city of New Orleans has laid off 3,000 city employees -- police, fire fighters, teachers, medical personnel and city employees needed to provide inspections and permits for those trying to rebuild, creating an impasse that has prevented most from reclaiming their homes and their businesses. Four months before the next hurricane season begins, the government has yet to rebuild the levies or establish a rational urban plan that considers the need to restore wetlands and flood planes to ameliorate the effects of future storms. The mismanagement of this crisis is a reflection of the greater issue of economic justice with which we, as a nation, must grapple.

Where are today's prophetic voices, challenging us to speak up in the face of injustice, waking us from our comfortable indifference? Where are the visionaries to demand a society in which the flood waters raise all of our boats, rather than drown the poor and the weak? What would Dr. King or Rabbi Heschel or Moses do, if they were with us today? Where would they lead us?

On this Shabbat, let us be inspired by Moses, Rabbi Heschel and Dr. King -- who, despite their flaws, their doubts and insecurities, were unable to witness injustice and do nothing; who found strength in moral indignation and who heard God's call to action. As Ruth Messinger, one of the honorees are our recent Biennial convention said, it is time for us to become the leaders we are waiting for. Let us have the audacity to be today's prophets, to be true partners in our ancient covenant with God L'taken et Haolam -- to repair of our broken world. If not us, who? And if not now, when?