Some American academics have decided to “decry injustice” in Israel deciding to ostracize and boycott Israeli universities and the professors affiliated with them. It is disingenuous at best, and anti-semitism masquerading as pro-oppressed, anti-oppressor (Zionism) in reality.
Harvard and Yale Slam American Studies Association Over Israel Boycott – Tablet Magazine.
I miss Christmas. Maybe that is an odd thing for a rabbi to say. But some of my fondest childhood memories are centered on that most special time of the year. We would pile into the car and make the trek down to Schenck Avenue in Great Neck from the northern New York suburbs, the holy city of Monsey.
Their second floor apartment was warm and inviting, the aroma of grandma’s cooking the holiday meal and the warmth of the radiator steam heat dominated the distinct and usual grandma and grandpa smells. In the living room was the red velvety tufted Victorian-style couch, in one corner was the chair where grandpa sat, complete with an ottoman where he rested his feet when one of us was not sitting there by him. Next to the chair was a rack filled with magazines and a small wicker rocking chair used by each of the grandchildren until we were too big to fit. In front of the sofa was the coffee table with the glass top, painted with a floral design of greens, gold and a touch of red, which miraculously survived all of us. There was always strange food arranged on top, dried fruits and nuts. The figs, dates and apricots were arrayed in circles with small ivory picks to spear them and the holiday napkins stacked along side. I remember the walnuts particularly since they were in the shells and the necessary utensils, the metal nutcracker and the pick, were lined up like a surgeon’s tools waiting to be called upon for their specific and important duties. Although, I never really liked the taste, I loved cracking the nuts open and prying out the meat embedded inside.
In the corner was a small tree, with presents piled around its base. The tree shimmered and glowed with the colored lights and silver tinsel hanging. The distinct smell of pine filled this room. We distributed the presents, there was always something for everyone no matter who showed up. We then dutifully waited our turn to open out gifts. We usually went from youngest to oldest, and even though we were among the youngest, the wait to open the presents seemed interminable. I usually got a pair of cowboy boots and a fancy cowboy shirt with mother-of-pearl snap buttons from grandma. It wasn’t a surprise since we all made the trip to the store on Route 17 in New Jersey to get our fittings. These were a tribute to grandma’s past. She was a Texan, swept away from her family in Dallas by her new husband to a very foreign place called the Bronx.
Part of Grandma’s legacy was her upbringing as a Southern Baptist. Grandma worked hard to raise her children and her grandchildren as Jews, always participating and engaging. But she never converted. Christmas eve was our family’s way of acknowledging her past. I never would get the chance to ask her about how she felt about leaving all that behind when she went to New York, but I think I understand it now.
I profoundly miss Christmas. Although we never celebrated it as a religious holiday, it was a time filled with love and family. I will remember always the joy of those wonderful times we spent together. I cherish the memories and grandma will always hold a special place in my heart.
Lech Lecha
I had the privilege of officiating at the funeral and first evening Shiva Minyan of a lovely man. It came time to share a D’var Torah during the Minyan and I spoke to Lech Lecha, our Parashah and God’s command to Abraham to “Go Forth- to a land that I will show you.” The Hebrew is in the singular, in other words God is speaking directly to Abraham, instructing him what to do. As we learn in the story, Abraham does indeed venture out from his father’s house and into history, becoming our Patriarch, a father to those as numerous as the stars. Abraham did need to respond to God’s challenge, but he was not alone.
Sarah was Abraham’s wife and partner. Although God does tell Abraham to “Go forth,” Sarah stood by his side throughout the process. The two of them acted together. And there is significance in that. As I ruminated over the circumstances in which my D’var Torah would be shared, I wondered if in fact the beautiful story of my friend, as related to me by his widow, was a representation of what Abraham and Sarah experienced. It takes an extraordinary person to embark on an extraordinary venture. But would he or she have the courage to do it without the love and support of a trusted partner? Could someone reach for the stars without a companion to provide strength, someone willing to walk with you by your side? And even if a person were capable of achieving “greatness” without any one else’s support, could such a person be the progenitor of a people?
I believe the answer is no. And herein lies a teaching of our Torah portion. We cannot achieve true greatness without the support of others. One can achieve, but without others to share and give strength, the venture is selfish. Lech Lecha, you must do it but you cannot do it alone.
The following is a clip from the interview Jon Stewart conducted with Malala Yousafzai on October 8, 2013. An extraordinary message from an amazing person.
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-october-8-2013/exclusive—malala-yousafzai-extended-interview-pt–1
It’s like Déjà vu all over again. Yes, I am again quoting from one of my favorite American Philosophers, Yogi Berra. Here we are, back in this familiar place. “Is this the fast I desire?” cries God through his prophet Isaiah. For those of you paying attention, you will notice that this is precisely the Torah Portion we read last year.
It is said that a definition of insanity is to repeat the same thing over and over again, hoping that “this time will be different,” like re-watching the movie Titanic and hoping the boat doesn’t sink. But this is looking back at the past.
We know that we cannot change the past. Instead we look to the future and seek change there. During the High Holidays, we do not only about ask forgiveness for past bad behaviors; but we also believe we can learn from our mistakes and resolve to do better. We will do T’shuva and the future will be great. But the Haftarah tells us it is really not about the future either. For in reality, we cannot control that which has yet to happen any more than we can control that which has already occurred. Isaiah is really all about the now– the present– this very moment. Here and now, we can make a change.
That is why I am so excited about the initiative that Rabbi Straus announced last week in his sermon. We have all received the envelopes to commit to supporting groups such as the West Philadelphia Alliance for Children, HIAS refugee resettlement, and the Calvary Baptist Church in West Philly, dedicated to improving the lives of our neighbors who do not share our many blessings. We can do something today by writing a check and becoming involved. Reform Judaism has always embraced that we are fully engaged in the community and world around us. We at Main Line Reform Temple have decided to make this a reality in a most amazing way. And I am honored and thrilled to be part of a community that is willing to engage in such an extraordinary practice. So please give generously however you are able.
Isaiah makes it clear that before we can be in relationship with God, we first must be in relationship with the other, other people not just those like ourselves, but the poor, the homeless, hungry those who do not share our many blessings, but those who remind us that in someway, we are broken too. In his song Anthem, Leonard Cohen’s poetry expresses it well:
Ring the bells that can still ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything,
That’s how the light gets in.
Our giving is part of the inspiration and aspiration that is the core message of the High Holidays. The actions we undertake today will make the life of someone needy just a little bit better. And then, the future for all of us shines brighter. When we embrace Isaiah’s call to act in this way, we indeed are on the path towards the fast that God desires.
* This was the d’var Torah delivered at Main Line Reform Temple on Yom Kippur 5774
Best wishes for a good 5774,
May it be a year of hope and peace
David
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in.
Leonard Cohen
