Dear Family and
Friends:
Rabbis probably listen to other rabbis differently than most
folks. At least I expect that I do. During T’fillot, when the rabbi gets up to
speak, my ears pick up in a professional kind of way. It is not that I don’t pay attention to the
message, I do. But I also pay particular
attention to how the message is delivered.
I’m talking style, structure, language, spontaneity. I’m not advocating that anyone listen to
their rabbis this way. Better to think about what the rabbi is saying instead of how it is said.
Last night we attended the installation of our new rabbi
here in Bloomington, Indiana at Congregation Beth Shalom. Beth Shalom itself is a unique synagogue made
up of Reform, Conservative, traditional, Renewal and secular Jews. It offers prayer opportunities for each
group. Yet there is a sense of community
here that is wonderful. It is a Jewishly
knowledgeable and intelligent congregation (lots of IU professors in the crowd). Last night the place was packed, the service
was beautiful and the rabbis were interesting.
That’s a good night in Temple.
One of our rabbi’s mentors was present and gave the
installation sermon. He spoke very well but
I couldn't help thinking that we were hearing a traditional three-point sermon. He told us what he was going to say, made his
three points, and then told us what he had said. Just the way you’re supposed to. It was good that he explained that the role
of the rabbi has three aspects; 1. As Rav, a teacher and transmitter of our
heritage; 2. As rebbe, a spiritual leader, and, 3. As pastor, aiding
congregants through all of life’s joys and challenges. Nothing revolutionary, but well said.
Thinking back on the evening though, I am happy to say that
my cynical, professional listen style broke down when our rabbi addressed the
congregation. He articulated something
that has been a part of my philosophy and even character; something that I've not heard before and I was moved by it.
In a nutshell, Rabbi Besser stated that the goal of our Jewish lives is
redemption. He said that it is our job
to make the world a better place, and that we, individually and working
together, in what we do and how we act, accomplish God’s design. Rabbi Besser told the congregation that he
felt there would always be wars, poverty, evil in the world and that hoping or praying
that God eliminate those things is OK, but the reality is that we can only do
what we can do. We can pray for these things, but WE have to make them happen. Like they say, “all
politics is local.” The rabbi was saying
Judaism is local as well. This is an
over simplification of the message, but that’s what I walked away with.
At camp we translated Tom Paxton’s song, “Peace Will Come,”
into Hebrew…Shalom Yavo. The next line
is, “Let it begin with me.” Translated
to Sh’Yatchil Iti. That Sh’Yatchil Iti
always stayed in my head and rang in my ears all of these years. I had one of our Israeli artists paint the
words on one of my banjos. And I believe
that the basic motivation and direction I followed all of those years at camp
was my attempt to create a place where we repaired the world daily, where by
our actions and relationships, where through the work the struggle and the
triumph (and sometimes defeat) we reached a sort of redemption. We bring God into our lives. We create the sacred. It is all local. And, as I've said many times, we are God’s
mirror. God sees God’s reflection
through us and the good things we do for one another. She’Yatchil Iti. Let it begin with me.
I couldn't tell you if the rabbi’s sermon was well
said. I can’t remember the structure or
the style. But I left feeling like one
of his congregants and that was a good thing.
Be good to each other.
Bring peace into the world.
Ron
