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Most people understand what Yom
Kippur is about, but they don’t really “get” Rosh HaShana. On the Day of
Atonement, we remember our sins, and ask for forgiveness. But what’s the deal
with Rosh HaShana? Sure, everyone knows it’s the Jewish New Year. But it’s
nothing like the New Years celebrations we’re familiar with: No funny hats, no
noisemakers – (on second thought, there are funny hats &
noisemakers!) no partying, no drinking, no Ball-dropping on Times Square.
Instead, we have five hours of praying to God and the singing of obscure
medieval religious poetry – capped off with a piece of honey cake. No wonder
there’s such a big drop in attendance on the second day; nobody’s even
sure what they’re supposed to do on the first day!
Good news: You’re in luck! I’m
here to solve the mystery of the ages: Rosh HaShana is when we are called
back to the Synagogue to put together our Mission Statement. We’re here,
today and tomorrow, to figure out, and articulate: who we are, what we believe,
and what we need to do.
It might be a lot easier if I just
told you exactly what it means to be a Jew, what you have to believe, and what
it is you have to do. But I’m not the Pope, we Jews don’t have a Catechism;
and besides, you can’t tell Jews what to do. And on top of that, we don’t
believe in “easy”. We each have our own opinions, and we’ll argue with each
other until we’re blue in the face.
Today, I’d like to raise ten issues
with you, and show you how different Jews think about and relate to them. Then
you can decide where you stand, and what those stands expect of you. To
keep this real, and not merely theoretical, I’m going to introduce you to
typical Jews and tell you what they believe, and what it is that they
do.
Let’s start with a very religious
Jew. Let’s call him Moishe. Beard, payis, Tzitzis, black hat. Maybe he’s
from an Orthodox family. Or maybe he’s a Baal Teshuva – raised secular but now
fervently observant. His whole life is focused on learning God’s Torah, and
obeying God’s mitzvoth. Everything else in the world – career, technology,
entertainment – is at best secondary and at worst – distractions that lead one
astray.
Now let’s move to his opposite.
Let’s call him Marius. (His parents had their first date seeing ‘Les Miz’, and
not only fell in love with each other there, they fell in love with the notion
of fighting injustice and making the world a better place.) Marius was raised
in a secular home – no Shabbes, no Kashrut, no God. Judaism meant nothing,
though Jewishness – from an ethnic and cultural point of view was clearly a
part of who he was. He had a bris – because his grandparents insisted on it.
He had a Bar Mitzvah – because all his friends did. If he married a Jew – it
was just a matter of coincidence, or luck.
So we’ve got our two paradigms,
Moishe and Marius; let’s dive into our ten issues and see how they relate to
them – and which one seems closer to your own world view.
Not so fast. There’s one other
person we’ll need to hear from. Like Moishe, Judaism is the guiding light of
his life. But like Marius, he also lives in the secular world, and embraces
much of what it’s about. Unlike Moishe, he doesn’t try to hide from the
modern, and the universal. Unlike Marius, he doesn’t reduce his Jewishness to
Pastrami on rye, or counting Jewish Nobel prize winners. Let’s call him…
Michael. And now, let’s see what they believe.
ISSUE #1: GOD
Moishe believes in Ha Shem – the
One God who created the world in six days; The God who dictated the Torah to
Moses at Mt. Sinai; the God who every Rosh HaShana, opens up a Book and
inscribes in it ‘who shall live and who shall die.’
When Moishe recites the prayer
“Avinu Malkenu’, he believes these words: Ha Shem is our Father, who
cares deeply for us, and He is also our King – who protects us when we are
worthy, and punishes us when we are not. Moishe also believes that Ha Shem chose
the Jews from all peoples; He split the Red Sea to bring us to freedom; And He
will ultimately send the Mashiach, who will usher in a time of peace and
prosperity.
Marius, on the other hand; is an
ethical – humanist. To him, God is a fairy tale, invented by the elite to
control the masses, or by the ignorant to explain the unexplainable. Marius
puts his faith in Charles Darwin and Albert Einstein, not in the book of
Genesis. The mysteries that science can’t explain today will be solved
sometime in the foreseeable future. Human beings in the 21st
century don’t need laws from the 13th century – BCE (!) – to tell
them how to live. We are intelligent enough to figure out on our own what is
Just and what is Fair, and we are mature enough to live our lives by the values
that we believe in.
Michael takes a position somewhere
in the middle. He doesn’t believe that God is an old man in heaven with a
white beard who speaks to prophets or performs miracles. But Michael is too
much in awe of nature and the cosmos to think that all the things you can see
in a microscope, or through a telescope, are just the result of some primordial
accident and the random way matter and energy unraveled. Unlike Moishe and
Marius, Michael is willing to say “We just don’t know, and we may never ever
know” the answers to the ultimate questions – and he’s prepared to call the
answers – “God.”
Michael believes that God is to be
found not up in Heaven, but inside the human heart. God is what leads us, or
pushes us, to be creative, and kind. He also believes that “God” as an idea,
is a very useful construct. In everything we do, we should always ask
ourselves: If there is a God, what would He want us to do?
ISSUE #2: TORAH
Moishe believes that every word of
the Torah was dictated by God to Moses at Mount Sinai. Therefore it is all
divine in origin and free of error. What it contains is God’s Will; Not
suggestions, but commands. It can never be changed or abrogated. But
it can be interpreted, by Rabbis who have devoted their lives to
learning the words that are written in it, as well as the words that God left
unwritten, but implied in the subtleties and codes of the Hebrew language. The
written Torah tells us what God said back then; the Oral Torah (known to us as
the Talmud) tells us what God means for us now. If you want to hear God’s
voice, all you need to do is read the Torah, and study the Talmud.
To Marius, the Torah is a human
document written by many people over the course of a thousand years. It is a
patchwork quilt of narrative, law, poetry, prophecy and wisdom literature. Its
human element is evident from the grammatical mistakes, repetitions,
contradictions, and vast diversity in style. While it contains some portions
of profound wisdom (like its concern for the widow, the orphan, and the poor)
it also has much in it that is embarrassing or meaningless (such as the death
penalty for non-capital infractions, and its acceptance of slavery). The Torah
is interesting as an historical document – but not for much more.
Michael agrees with Marius about
the human origins of the Torah, but he also agrees with Moishe that it is a
holy text. It is sacred not because it comes from God, but because the
Jewish people have read and revered it for more than 3000 years. Michael
remembers finding a shoe box in his grandparents’ closet: It contained legal
documents, letters, picture postcards, birth announcements, even grocery
receipts going back four generations. To an outsider that box was filled with
trash. To Michael, it was treasure, the artifacts explaining where he came
from, and who he is. The Torah is our people’s shoebox going back 80
generations. A few pages might seem to us like junk; the vast majority is a
goldmine, waiting to be excavated.
ISSUE #3: JEWISH LAW
Moishe lives his life according to
Halacha. As the will of God, it’s all that really matters in life. By
comparison, American law is trivial – to be followed, because that’s the price
of living in this country. Jewish law encompasses every aspect of Moishe’s
life: what materials his suits can be made from, which shoelace he ties first,
what prayers to say after he goes to the bathroom. What foods he can eat, when
he can work, even when he can have sex. Moishe understands that there aren’t Ten
Commandments; there are 613! His mission in life is to obey them all. And he
also believes that each mitzvah he does brings the coming of the Messiah one
step closer.
Marius thinks that Jewish law is a
bunch of baloney. It’s nothing more than ancient or medieval folkways (at
best) or superstitions and Bubbe Meises (at worst). Life is too short to be
told a hundred times a day “Don’t do this” and “Don’t do that!” Jewish law
only serves to segregate us from the rest of humanity; what we need are things
that help bring us all together.
Michael thinks that Halacha is very
important. It connects him to his history, ties him to his people, and creates
a bridge that leads him to God, and the godly. And each mitzvah he does brings
an aspect of Kedusha – of holiness – into his life. Michael believes that
Jewish law is the creation not of God, but of the Rabbis, then affirmed by the
Jewish people over time. As such, it is possible to change Halacha. The
changing role of women in society, and the acceptance of Gays and Lesbians are
two developments that have led to recent changes in Halacha. Moishe doesn’t
care about changes in society; the Halacha is eternal. Marius doesn’t care
what the Halacha requires – he follows his heart, and his mind. Michael tries
to reconcile both.
ISSUE #4: PRAYER
Moishe dovvins three times a day –
Shaharis, Minha, and Maariv. Then he dovvins before and after each meal. And
several times more, as circumstances require. A good deal of that time is
spent praising HaShem, or thanking Him for all His many kindnesses. To Moishe,
prayer is a constant reminder of HaShem’s benevolence, and a way to show how
grateful we are for all we have been given.
Marius believes that prayer is a
waste of time; it’s talking into a phone that’s not in service. If there’s
Nobody up there, what’s the point? He thinks it’s especially stupid to pray in
a language that you don’t understand. He does practice Yoga, and he
meditates daily. He finds that it relaxes his body, and clears his mind.
For Michael, prayer is a very
important part of his life. First it is a social experience that connects him
to a community of other serious Jews. Second, it is a reminder of his
identity, and his history – these are the same prayers that Jews have recited
for 2000 years. Third, and perhaps most importantly, the prayers are a daily
reminder of what we Jews believe in, a primer of our basic values. Prayer is
not so much praising God as it is praising Godliness. The attributes we
praise God for are the attributes we are taught to incorporate into our lives.
The things we ask God to give us are really the things we are taught to give to
others.
ISSUE #5: LIFE CYCLE EVENTS
To Moishe, a Bris is a sign of the
covenant between God and the Jewish people – a reminder that if we
follow the Mitzvahs, He’ll take care of us. A Bar Mitzvah is simply the first
public Aliyah to the Torah. It’s also recognition that from this moment on, a
boy is now obligated to observe all the mitzvahs. A Chaseneh is a communal way
to join a man and a woman so they can create a Jewish home and bring more
Jewish children into the world. A Levayah is a way to show respect for the
body, and to usher the soul to the World-to-Come.
Marius believes circumcision is
genital mutilation. A Bar Mitzvah is a way to force a Jewish child to memorize
words that have no meaning or relevance to him so his parents can show off how
wealthy they are with a lavish party. A Jewish wedding is another excuse for a
lavish party, and a chauvinistic way to announce that marrying a Jew is in some
way better than marrying a non-Jew. A burial is a waste of good land needed by
the living, and Shiva – an excuse for yet another party.
To Michael, Jewish Life Cycle
events are ways to mark and enhance key moments, by tying us to something much
larger than our own families, and imbuing those moments with significance. A
Brit teaches us about the sacredness of Jewish identity. A Bar and Bat Mitzvah
remind us that adolescents are to be taken seriously and included in our community.
We learn from a Jewish wedding that marriage is not just about two individuals
in love, but about the role those two individuals must play in the Jewish
world. And finally, a Jewish funeral, burial, and Shiva are therapeutic ways
to help us overcome the most difficult moments anyone could face.
ISSUE #6: SHABBAT
To Moishe, Shabbes is the most
important day of the week, and the most important holiday on the Jewish
calendar. The positive mitzvahs of the day (lighting candles, making Kiddush,
Two Hallahs) along with the negative mitzvahs of the day (no cooking, no
carrying, no turning electricity on or off) all contribute to making Shabbes a
foretaste of the World-to-Come. Though being Shomer Shabbes requires a lot of
preparation and a great deal of discipline, it brings Moishe and his family
great spiritual joy and meaning.
Marius believes in a day of rest;
he observes it every Sunday! The idea that Jews in the 21st century
can’t switch on a light, or answer the phone, or push a baby carriage unless
there is fishing line strung around telephone poles is ludicrous.
Michael, on the other hand, thinks
Shabbat is just what Jews in the 21st century need. It’s a day when
we can free ourselves from our cell phones, our computers, and our cars. A day
we can spend with family. A day to focus on the truly important, instead of
what is merely pressing. A day to reconnect with our tradition, our loved
ones, and with ourselves.
ISSUE #7: HOLIDAYS
Moishe listens to the Shofar on Rosh
HaShana which heralds that HaShem is our King. He fasts on Yom Kippur to ask
HaShem for forgiveness. He eats in a Sukkah to remember that our people lived
in booths for 40 years in the wilderness. On Shimini Atzeret he prays for
rain. On Simchas Torah he dances as the yearly Torah reading is completed. He
lights candles on Hanukah to celebrate the miracle of the oil in the days of
the Maccabees, On Purim he listens to the reading of the Megilah which
recounts the salvation of the Jews from the hand of Haman. On Pesach he
refrains from eating all Hametz products, to recall the quick exodus of the
slaves from Egypt. On Shavuos he celebrates the giving of the Torah. On Tishe
B’av, he mourns for the destruction of the Temples in Jerusalem. The Jewish
calendar is his life.
Marius goes to his friends for
Break-the-fast (even though he didn’t fast, or go to Temple). He gets
his kids Hanukah presents, and watches as his in-laws light the Menorah. He
goes to his relatives for the Passover Seder and he’s the one who asks
the question: “When do we eat?” So much for the Jewish holidays.
Michael lives by two
calendars. Each January, he listens to the “I have a dream” speech; in
February he reads the Gettysburg Address. In May, he remembers those who died
for our freedom; and every July 4th, he always watches the movie
“1776”. At the same time, in Tishre, he spends 10 days thinking about the
past year, and trying to plan for the coming one; he rebuilds a Sukkah and eats
in it, becoming more attuned to nature and the outdoors; and he celebrates
another year of Torah study. In Kislev he remembers the courage of the
Maccabees in fighting for freedom. In Adar he rejoices in Jewish survival on
Purim. In Nisan, he cleans the house of Hametz and considers the other things
he needs to get rid of from his life. In Sivan he stays up the night of
Shavout resolving to make the learning of Jewish texts an everyday thing. In
Av, he recalls the tragedies in Jewish history and meditates on the current
threats to the Jewish people.
ISSUE #8: KASHRUT
Moishe has seven sets of dishes:
Fleishig everyday, Fleishig fancy; Milchig everyday, Milchig fancy, plus one
set of Parev. Then he also has a fancy set of Fleishig and an everyday
set of Milchig for Pesach. He doesn’t eat broccoli or strawberries, or drink
water from the tap because of tiny bugs. He won’t drink wine from a bottle
touched by a non-Jew. And he won’t eat anything from Hebrew National, because
even though they answer to a ‘Higher Authority’ they don’t answer to Moishe’s
Rabbi, who won’t accept meat that isn’t glatt.
Marius eats what he wants –
whenever he wants. He figures that in the year 2011, he can count on the FDA
and modern cooking appliances to keep his food safe.
Michael keeps Kosher for several
reasons: He believes shechita is a more humane method of slaughtering; Kashrut
helps him identify as a Jew every time he eats; it develops his
self-discipline; and it turns the biological act of eating into a spiritual
experience.
ISSUE #9: HEAVEN & HELL
Moishe believes that when he dies,
his soul will live on in Gan Eden, until at some time in the future, when the
Moshiah comes, his soul will be reunited with his resurrected body. He
believes that the wicked will be punished in Gehenna for some amount of time,
and will ultimately be denied a place in Gan Eden.
Marius thinks that when you’re dead
– you’re dead. You might as well enjoy your time on Earth, because that’s all
you get.
Michael isn’t really sure what
happens when you die. He’d like to think there’s eternal life in an idyllic
heaven, but there’s no evidence for it. He believes you shouldn’t waste any
time thinking about heaven; instead you should put your efforts into creating a
Heaven on Earth.
ISSUE #10: ISRAEL
Moishe believes Israel is the Promised Land, given by HaShem to the Jewish people. But because of our
sins, the Temple was destroyed and the Jews were exiled from their land. When
the Jews repent and live righteous lives, Ha Shem will send the Mashiach who
will bring us back to our land to live in peace and security.
Marius is an American, first and
foremost. He has no particular affinity for the State of Israel. He condemns
the Israeli government for its harsh treatment of the Arabs, which he believes
borders on war crimes and genocide. If Jews want to live in Eretz Yisrael,
they should be citizens of a bi-national state together with Palestinian
Arabs. No Jewish Star on the flag, no Hatikva as the National Anthemn.
Though Michael is a proud American,
he believes that Israel is also his home. Jews in the Diaspora have an
obligation to help support and safeguard the State of Israel financially and
politically. And he believes that Israel serves not only as a refuge for Jews
in distress, it plays a major role in shaping a positive identity of the Jewish
people wherever they live.
So here we are, back again on Rosh
HaShana. I hope you now understand what it is we are supposed to be doing
today and tomorrow: Thinking about what we believe and considering what we
should be doing.
I also hope that Moishe, Marius,
and Michael have helped you realize that there are many different ways to be
Jewish.
Personally, I respect Moishe’s
seriousness, and his devotion to his God, and his tradition. I’m just not
comfortable with the way he rejects Western culture and values. Sometimes I
think he cares a lot more about rituals than about ethics – and in doing so, he
ignores half of what the Jewish religion tries to teach.
I relate to Marius on a personal
level. He dresses like me, and grew up in the same world as I did. I admire
his modernism, and his ethical concerns. But I don’t like the way he casually
discards our tradition, and the flip way he dismisses our religion.
To tell you the truth, I think this
Michael guy may be on to something: Combining the very best of the two worlds –
ancient and modern, that he lives in. Following the traditions, observing the
rituals, but always searching for their spiritual meaning and relevance.
Now you know what to do on Rosh
HaShana. My prayer is that what you believe, and what those beliefs ask you to
do will help make it a very good and meaningful New Year.
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