Planting the Future

Visiting the synagogue Judaica store I was amazed at the sheer number of decorative tzedakah boxes available today. Children’s tzedakah boxes in the shape of Noah’s ark, abstract metal shapes, historic synagogues, and simple wooden boxes with the word tzedakah burnt on. However there was one box that was not on the shelf, which from my Hebrew School days was probably the most important box. It wasn’t the most decorative and in fact the box itself didn’t cost a dime. It was metal, coated with light blue and white paint and had a funny key hole on the bottom which made me always wonder how they ever got the money out of the box. The JNF tzedakah box was a stalwart of my Hebrew school days. Every year each student would receive a box with the express goal of filling it with money. On Tu B’Shvat we would bring in the filled box and hand it to the teacher. I am not sure if it was pure marketing genius or just social conditioning, but somehow every kid (parents included) even if they saved for other charities knew that it was important to fill that little blue box. Of course as kids it was a contest to see who could plant more trees. One kid boasted that his father had planted an entire forest with the names of each of his family members. I admit that when I went to Israel for the first time when I was ten years old, I tried to find the trees with our names, only to be disappointed that the trees themselves did not have nametags. This aside, I believe the real impact was that for $18 a kid could make a difference by planting a tree in the land of Israel. 

In what I consider another one of the other great miracles of the State of Israel, the barren land was made to bloom and I got to help. In a famous Talmudic passage (Taanit 23a) a young man named Honi was walking down the road, and saw an old man planting a carob tree. Honi said to him, “Since the carob tree doesn’t bear fruit for seventy years, are you so sure that you will live seventy years and eat from it?!” The old man replied, “I found a world that was full of carob trees. Just like my ancestors planted for me, so I plant for my descendants.” Even in the time of the Talmud we can see the pull of immediate self gratification or of “looking out for #1”, as a concept in which the tradition tried to counter. In our modern world today the notion of a disposable, live in the moment world, has hampered the long range planning which is necessary to protect and conserve our precious environment. What we do today both for the positive (planting trees, recycling, eating organic), or for the negative (S.U.V’s, drilling in nature reserves, urban sprawl) impacts not only our quality of life, but the quality of life for entire future generations. What will we leave them as a legacy? This Tu B’Shvat let each of us strive to become more environmentally aware, take greater care in the decisions we make, and give tzedakah to those who on our behalf protect, and enrich our world. Indeed as those little blue boxes taught us, each of us can and does make a difference.

The Dance of Leaders and Those They Lead

           Parshat B’shalach begins with Moses and Miriam literally singing and dancing for joy. The experience of crossing the Sea and the realization that people who were enslaved for 400 hundred years are now free inspires sheer euphoria. As leaders, Moses and Miriam help concretize this moment of transcendent awe for the whole people through the use of song and dance. We can imagine it cinematically, with the credits beginning to roll as our heroes dance into the sunset.

            Yet, reality sets in almost immediately. The people begin to complain: first for water, then for meat, even demanding to go back to Egypt! Thus begins the real test for Moses, Aaron, and Miriam’s leadership. Can they transform a people bound by the psychological shackles of slavery and dependence to a truly free people able to build a new society, be independent, and determine their own destiny? An effective leader must not only be able to celebrate and help define moments of triumph and success, but also needs to be able to move and guide their followers when the vision or dream seems out of reach.

            When asked which was harder: being a paratrooper and jumping out of an airplane, or being a rabbi, Chief Rabbi Shlomo Goren responded, “Well, when you jump out of a plane you lead people from the heavens to the earth, but as a rabbi you have to bring people from the earth up to the heavens.”  The challenge of leaders from the time of Moses to today, is whether they can bring us, in both good and hard times, to recognize the opportunities for growth and vision, while at the same time convincing us that hard work, sacrifice, patience and perseverance will enable us to reach our sacred goals. This is not a dance that is easy or without the risk of failure, yet when along the journey a victory can be had, then everyone can join together in celebration and song - “Ashira L’Adonai Ki Ga’oh Ga’ah! - I will sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously!” 

Ducking the Issue of Gun Control at Our Own Peril

What do a movie theatre, Sikh Temple, university, campaign rally, shopping mall, and elementary school all have in common? - Sadly, they are all places where gun violence has taken the lives of innocent people, and shattered the lives of families and communities. Also sadly it seems that each time we live through such a tragedy, we shake our collective heads, talk about the horror of it all, and then go about our business as if nothing we can do makes any difference. But, making a difference and striving to address problems in our community is at the core of the Jewish belief in engaging in our world to make it better in each generation (Tikkun Olam). Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel taught, “The world rests on three principles: On Justice, on Truth, and on Peace.” (Ethics of the Fathers 1:18) Each of these three areas, are the building blocks of our relationships both as individuals, as well as collectively as a community/society. Therefore, I believe as Jews we have a moral obligation to lead a serious debate about the root causes of violence in our society, how we might better educate people about coping with anger, and depression, providing appropriate mental health resources for those in need, and becoming advocates for smart laws that balance individual rights, while guarding the safety and wellbeing of the larger community.


From its earliest teachings, the Torah, reflects upon the issue of violence and the devastating results of it in the stories of Cain and Abel, the laws given to Noah, and the 7th Commandment (You shall not murder!). In each case it is clear that God’s Will is that we not snuff out the gift of life that God instilled inside each of us. It is not only a tragedy for victims, the families of the victims, but also an affront to God the Creator of all life. The Torah’s and later Rabbi’s did not shy away from discussing, and debating these issues. They placed education as a central part of the effort to minimize, and confront violence in their communities. They understood that law, and the system of justice along with ethical education could make a difference. While we can agree that the issues surrounding guns, and violence in our society are complex, and that there are many differing points of view about what should or shouldn’t be done, what is abundantly clear however is that ducking the issue, and failing to even start the serious dialogue will not make this issue go away.

Are we prepared to work, debate, and educate, or will we once again duck, close our eyes, and pray for a miracle? May we be courageous like our prophet Isaiah who envisioned a time when, “you shall beat our swords into plow-shears, and your knives into pruning hooks”, and did his best to make it a reality.

Words of Creation, Words of Life

Often when we think about the power of words we think of the negative wounds hurtful words can leave. For instance, when our political leaders stoop to new lows of rhetoric, fringe religious leaders purporting to speak God’s Word, spew words of hatred, or more personally the arguments that tear families apart. History, both personal, and communal are littered with examples of hurtful speech and the abuse of words. Our Rabbis devoted many teaching’s, and whole books to the “abuse/evil use of the tongue” - lashon harah, as they knew full well that words written and spoken can be “mightier than the sword.” With such a focus on hurtful words, it is easy to forget the power positive words can have on us, and our world. Our Torah however from its very first words reminds us of the creative power of words, and that within these words there is no less than life itself. In the Jewish understanding of Creation, God has an idea, speaks, and through words literally creates the universe. God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. (Gen. 1:3) Our Rabbis note that this light is not the light from the sun, moon or stars which comes at Creation day four but instead represents a holy light of the words of Torah, a light which is stored for the righteous. 

In the end God speaks ten times in the Creation story until the world is complete. In the early kabbalistic work, Sefer Yetzirah (3rd or 4th century CE), the idea of the power of words, particularly the role the letters themselves had in Creation is further developed. God “crowns” each letter and empowers it to “govern” a special aspect of the universe, with each letter influencing the universal, temporal, and anthropological flow of life. For example, the three primary letters aleph, mem, and shin, which govern the three elements of air, water and fire (respectively), the three ancient seasons of the year, and three aspects of the human form. 

Today much of this mystical cosmological use of letters and words has gone by the wayside. Yet some of these ideas still remain entrenched, such as the wearing of the Hebrew word, Chai (Chet, Yud) or the use of the letter Shin on the outside of mezuzah cases and the tefillin. More enduring however, is the idea that words carry the tremendous capacity to heal, proclaim love, and creative new art and ideas. Words can take an idea in the mind and bring it into the world of reality. Think about how we express to someone that we love them. It may be through saying simply the words, “I love you” or through a poem or a touching card. Words can capture the spirit of past deeds of loving-kindness or fill us with hope toward the future. 

Words have power to bring people together, inspire us, and remind us of the best of ourselves. Finally words can live long after we are gone. They can be a lasting testament to our values and our dreams.  To that end, I am asking each of you to fill in the letters of our brand new Torah.  Not only helping our community to create this beautiful scroll which will be used on Shabbat and holidays but, also to ensure a vibrant life for our Jewish community. Too many words are used to destroy life, let us instead create something that leads to life. Let’s inscribe this new Torah with our hands and seal it with our love; that we may be blessed by it, as it says, “Its ways are ways of pleasantness and all its paths are peace.” (Proverbs 3:18) 

The Hidden Meaning of the Year

One of the special features of the Hebrew language is that when it was first developed in ancient times, the language itself did not have any vowels or punctuation. While any other people might see this as a weakness, our tradition saw this as giving every word layers of possible meaning.  So for example the three letters – shin, lamed, mem can mean:  hello, goodbye, peace and completeness - each deriving its layer of meaning from the context within a sentence.  Also each letter in Hebrew is also a number, leading to even more paths of interpretation. In the end our Sages loved to take the roots of words and find deeper and deeper meanings to speak to our lives. They strove to uncover these hidden meanings, and believed they were gifts of the Divine.

One word we hear a lot of during the High Holiday season is the word: Shana as in L’Shana Tova (literally: For a Good Year). In its simplest form, the root shin, nun, hey translates to mean year. But interesting enough the same three letters can also mean to change, and to learn.  Herein illustrates the beauty of the Hebrew language.  In essence, whether we like it or not, our lives are filled with changes, as we grow from year to year.  We are continually in new places within our lives, presented with new challenges and opportunities and most importantly the potential to learn. Our tradition encourages us to strive to learn to confront, appreciate, and hopefully make the best of these changes. We hope that as we grow older and wiser we learn to make better decisions, learn to live more meaningful lives, and work harder toward changing those parts of ourselves which don’t live up to the best of who we know deep down inside we are. The word shana (year) therefore becomes not just a passive noun but, instead a verb, always in motion beckoning us to continue to learn, change and grow.

On Rosh Hashanah we take stock of what we did last year. We try to remember and reflect on the significant deeds, moments, and times we had with an eye towards what we can learn from them, and how we can change our lives for the better in the upcoming year. Sometimes confronting the year is a daunting task. It may have been a year of insecurity, loss, or disappointment. In looking at a year like this, the Hebrew language helps us by reminding us that we have untapped potential for learning and change. During the High Holiday service, we pray for a year of health, happiness and peace. We fill ourselves with hope, the comfort of our family and friends, and the belief in new beginnings. We can also reflect upon the blessings we have enjoyed, the thankfulness of another year of life, and the dreams we still hope to bring to fruition.  

Finally, just as the beauty of the word shana goes beyond the simple meaning of year but challenges us to peel away the many layers of meaning; the flow of the High Holidays themselves from beginning to end calls us to a journey of deepening meaning. At its best, we start out in one spiritual place and in the end hopefully find ourselves in a new and better spiritual place. This takes effort for sure but the reward can be life affirming and transformative. I hope that this new shana of 5773 is one filled with the best learning, change, health and happiness for you and your family. And as we traditionally say,  “L’shana Tova Tikateivu v’Tikhateimu! May you be written and sealed for a good new year! “

TBD Israel Trip 2012: Day 5

Shabbat morning services in Israel start early (8am) and end early (10:30am), after all there is that relaxed and leisurely delicious lunch and then shluff waiting. So off to the Great Synagogue for services with Barry & Michael, Stephen, and Charles & Debra. Three of the things I like about the Great Synagogue are the beautiful stained glass and ambiance, the amazing hazzanut and choir, and their welcoming and open-mindedness to all Jews regardless of denomination. In fact they honored me with p'ticha (opening and closing the Ark when the Torah is taken out and returned). The Hazzan and the choir were outstanding and the people were just so friendly. Those there to pray came from a diversity of backgrounds and practices, in fact the gentleman who chanted the Haftarah was visiting from Australia and had asked via email if he could chant this Saturday. I got the chance to sit next to one of the Gabbaim and leaders of the synagogue and I asked him how it was that they could navigate such a pluralistic approach? He answered that the leaders of the synagogue hold as a value of the community the idea that they respect and welcome all Jews while maintaining their Zionist orthodox approach. He then proceeded to invite us to the Hazzan's special back room kiddush - which is by invitation only. Wow! Some good vodka, schnapps and herring!

After lunch and a little shluff, Alexis and I dropped the kids at Dannyland, an indoor supervised playland for kids (this is a really cool perk offered by the Dan Panorama). Then off for a late afternoon walking tour of the Jewish quarter. Reuven Lavi our guide if I haven't yet said this already is absolutely awesome. He really knows what he is talking about (which is always good for a guide) but also knows how to make what we are seeing relevant and fun. On this walking tour as we explored the Jewish Quarter, Rueven told us the stories behind everything from the Cardo (which was locked up on Shabbat) to how the quarter has been built layer upon layer, era upon era. Every building, street and archway has a story that connects it to real people and real history. I had walked these alleys numerous times but until this Shabbat I never had as intimate a connection to them.

Walking back we thought the kids may have been worried that we returned later than expected but to our surprise they were still having a blast at Dannyland (they had made a giant obstacle course), and we literally had to pry them away. After a quick refresh, the group gathered for havdallah. It is always sad to see Shabbat go, especially when you are in Israel, and it is the only real weekend day of rest. Yet, Ben Yehuda Street calls and the party begins.

Okay, so two years ago the kids and I discovered the Burger Bar. A really trendy burger chain that frankly just does burgers the right way. We got to the Burger Bar just in the nick of time, because literally half the world all of a sudden showed up, and began shoving, yelling over way too loud techno music and videos. The burger was great, but definitely go at an off-time. After gaining my hearing back, we joined the crowds in the sport of shopping and even got Mordechai a new kippah from the Kippa Man (a must go to shop on any visit). Overall, a great day and a fun night.

TBD Israel Trip 2012: Day 4

There are some things that I really look forward to when I go to Israel - like Shabbat in Jerusalem, seeing family and friends, and buying new kippot from the Kippah Man. And then by contrast there is Yad V'Shem. A place that fills me with such grief and despair that I wonder how it is that we Jews should care about the world at all after the Shoah. The twisted face of evil unbound, of the individual stories of people who are just like us humiliated, striped of humanity, starved, tortured, gassed, and finally burned to ash. Every turn of Yad V'Shem is an obstacle another horror unfolding. We who can walk out into the light, what is our sacred duty to those who only wished to live? What must we do to not only remember them, but live our lives worthy of carrying on a people, a tradition, that they were slaughtered as part of? And in the end, there are no words which can hold the weight upon my heart only tears.

Returning to the bus, I see Miriam and Mordechai. They went to Biblical Zoo with Alexis instead of Yad V'Shem. Seeing them is the best medicine for a broken heart. They tell me about seeing snakes, all kinds of birds, an animal that looks like pig but isn't (The sign says: This is not a pig! - in Hebrew and even in Yiddish so the Hareidim won't get bent out of shape) and finally the highlight the bears. Supposedly these bears love to entertain, so forever they will be dubbed "Jerusalem party bears."

We are now off to see one of my favorite museums in the entire world - The Israel Museum. It is one thing to read something in the Bible and another to see the epigraphy, jewelry, seals, coins, etc. One of my favorite areas is the development of the Hebrew language. I love seeing how the script changes through history. I love looking at the Aleppo Codex, the Dead Sea scrolls, and ancient tefillin not only because it's just so cool! - but also because it is pretty amazing to see the links throughout the centuries to what we are still doing today. People of the Book indeed.

With Shabbat around the corner we head back to the Dan Panorama (too soon for my liking) to get ready.

We walk from the hotel down the Yemin Moshe neighborhood. One of my favorite neighborhoods to walk in, Yemin Moshe was named for Moses Montefiore who financed the Jewish community during the pre-State years and helped them expand outside the walls of the the Old City. He built a windmill (which was being restored), and brought people to help train the Jewish pioneers on how to farm and live. Today Yemin Moshe is built into the hillside with the Old City directly across the valley. It has many artists and is a quiet, flower covered, stairway filled approach to the Old City. After the descent and then climb up to the Old City, we enter through the Zion Gate and pass a group of Camp Ramahniks from all over the country. Go Ramah Israel Experience! We head to the Kotel Plaza and it is packed for Shabbat. Literally, hundreds of thousands of Jews converging to welcome Shabbat. Tonight the men and women of our group go in different directions and I lead the men to the Wall. We finally get close and huddled together we welcome Shabbat at the Wall. People walk around handing out fragrant bouquets of myrtle, mint and other herbs to smell and make Shabbat delightful. After our service we meet up with the women and proceed to walk through the central market street between the Muslim Quarter and the Jewish Quarter. We go out through the Jaffa Gate and down and up again back to the hotel, where a sumptuous dinner is waiting.

After dinner, I led a session on Shabbat Zemirot (Shabbat Songs - generally sung around the table). It was a wonderful beginning to Shabbat in Jerusalem with some of the best people making it all the more special.