by Rabbi Arnold Saltzman
5773 – Sept. 2012
The Torah proclaims that God has given us the appointed times, Mo’adim L’simcha, for celebration, holidays, and festivals for rejoicing. It is a Mitzvah to observe these festivals which are commandments including a day of Teruah, sounding the Shofar, a day of holy convocation and assembly which recall Creation and the Exodus from Egypt, as well as the spiritual origins of the Jewish people.
Through this observance we sanctify the people, and the Day of Remembrance, Yom Hazikaron.
What is it that we wish to sanctify and in what way?
First of all we have to prepare -that means a lot of preparation – cleaning, haircut (for some), shopping lists, cooking, recipes, round hallahs, wine or grape juice, a new table cloth, inviting guests to our festive table, candles, polish the kiddush cup, cover for the Hallah, gifts for the younger family members, flowers…
With all of this going on when do we contemplate the holiday?
What do we think about and reflect on for the New Year and for the year that has gone by?
How do we let go of that year or force the door to close on it? This past year was one of disbelief, incredulity, and the state of being in shock,
and for some it was a year of renewed hope and joy.
This summer a Judge in Cologne, Germany ruled that circumcision cannot be performed on anyone under eighteen years of age. His reason was that it inflicts pain on an infant or child, and that the child has no say in the matter. It is difficult to imagine that this could be a law in a place such as Germany which in another generation enacted a methodical and legal drive to eradicate not just circumcision but the people who were already circumcised, anyone who was Jewish, and nearly succeeded.
This is a way for the German court to say ‘Jews – get out!’ ‘Muslims, get out!’
That is why we react in disbelief and shock!
Twenty-five years ago the former Soviet Union also had a ban on circumcision, and at the same time, Doctors in the United States saw medical benefits from this procedure. Today in Africa the procedure is now considered the most effective method of preventing AIDS with a 60% reduction. The American Association of Pediatricians, in this recent past, issued a guideline saying the medical benefits made it justifiable. If it has health benefits, it makes the short duration of pain worth the trade off in having the anesthetic that causes the pain while also allowing the benefit for the infant boy’s future health.
It seems to me that what we are about is valuing life,
preventing illness, and doing what is necessary to respect a baby and its future. This is very consistent with Jewish Values.
Last year, Israel, after six years of negotiations traded over one thousand prisoners including convicted terrorists, for one Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit. There was no balance in this, and the unreasonable demands, were met by Israel, by applying Maimonides principle that you must do whatever you can to ransom the captive, unless it will weaken the community in such a way that it will not be able to recover. Clearly, Israel values the life of single soldier. Clearly, that represents Jewish belief and what we are here for today – to pray for ‘life’ in the coming year. Rescuing someone is about valuing life! We need to rescue Alan Gross who is ill and deteriorating for over 1000 days in a prison in Cuba.
Forty years after the Munich Massacre of Israeli Athletes by the Black September Palestinian organization financed by the current head of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas (who claims he did not know what the money was being used for), the Government of Israel and the Jewish Community sought to have one minute of silence honoring the memory of the eleven athletes killed while they were living in the Olympic ‘Peace Village.’ There was no way this was going to happen. One minute is worth millions of dollars in commercial time. Is there room in the world for goodness and decency? It would seem that is not the case when it comes to Israel.
The Munich Massacre was a terrorist attack planned for years with the help of many others. I recommend that you read about it, how it was accomplished, from knowing the map of the village, to entering past security with masks on while carrying rifles, to having a key to the door. Read how Germany bungled the rescue, and how German Chancellor Willi Brandt, let the surviving terrorists eventually leave the country.
These events affected me and changed my outlook on life, and my understanding that there is a ‘purpose’ to my practicing my beliefs.
Without any court order,
I observe Jewish tradition willingly, albeit in a more modern way. Being part of a family and a people who value Jewish Study, Jewish Practice, observing holidays, rituals, symbols, gathering for observances and worship, knowing our history, understanding our connection to the Land of Israel, appreciating Religious Freedom in America, being loyal to my tradition, and being proud of my heritage without the need to denigrate any other religious practice…These are the positive aspects of my existence.
Oh, yes…Mark Spitz, the Olympic athlete will never be surpassed by another medal winner. He was superman for us in a place where no Jewish man or woman could be superman. That is not about the number of medals he won.
In the New Year, 5773, take the photos of your family and display them at holiday tables, photos of weddings, baby namings, celebrations of circumcisions, Shabbat and time together. Notice the Mezuzah on your door or dedicate your home anew. Bring your tallit and wear it here at services. Learn some Hebrew language or Yiddish, and a melody for singing a prayer.
Affirm your identity or your ‘chosen’ identity! We don’t need another moment of silence, rather we need the roar of the Lion of Judah!
Together, we need to sing the song of our spiritual heritage!
That is why we sound the Shofar, in order to remind ourselves and to remind God, to remember us for this great heritage, history, culture, and for ‘life’ in the coming year. We pray for life!
In contrast to disbelief and shock, we are amazed by the wonder of those who seek to study or learn in our school (staffed by your Jasha Levinson and many volunteers) or those who study in a Bible Class, or in Adult Education classes or for a meeting or social event at Sha’are Shalom.
Through groups like the Sons or Daughters of Abraham in Calvert County we increase interfaith understanding and dialogue.
I mention as well F.A.R. Medical Initiative for Hadassah Hospital in Israel, which provides housing for Palestinians seeking medical treatment in Israel. Sometimes we are asked why help those who seek our destruction? We are commanded to help and assist, to do the right thing. We are not taught ‘do this only if it is reciprocated, or if there is a quid pro quo.’ We do these things because
from a Mitzvah – can come another Mitzvah. Mitzvah Goreret Mitzvah.
Some of you have participated in the Vigil on 16th Street for Alan Gross who is being held in Cuba. The Jewish Community Relations Council supports and organizes this vigil weekly and updates information on their website. I have volunteered to be the coordinator for the Vigil for the JCRC since the lack of funding would have reduced the Vigil to once a month instead of once a week. This is too urgent a cause for us to weaken the support to free Alan Gross. His life depends on it!
Our congregation is a small miracle made possible through the work of many people, our Board of Managers, and our volunteers. How else can you explain the vitality and beauty of our services and offerings with a small congregational base. We have a wonderful membership. How many congregations can say that?
In Southern Maryland ‘The Sheldon Goldberg Breast Treatment Center’ of the Calvert Memorial Hospital demonstrates that from a tragic accident, Dr. Goldberg’s family and our community have erected a miracle and blessing in less than year after his untimely death. This is a place where genuine hope and dignity are given ‘on the wings of eagles’ to people who do not have access to John Hopkins Hospital and Medical Center.
It is a blessing to us that the best in man rises up in opposition to the destructive impulse and actions of man. Eric Grenis, celebrated his Bar Mitzvah this past summer. For his Mitzvah Project he raised funds for the Sheldon Goldberg Center – not an easy sell for teenage boy. He is still selling the pink bracelets!
James Carroll Salen raises funds every year for cancer treatment since he lost a close relative to cancer. On one of those blisteringly hot days this summer, I stopped by a Sher’s home to find both Brett and Robin working and competing to see who could make more hats or caps for the Goldberg Center. These two young people made twenty special hats this summer and these two young people looked very happy in their work of filling up a basket with hats. I found this deeply moving and I was made happy by the message of love, ‘light’, work, and commitment to the ideas of ‘to save a life is to save a world,’ ‘Love your neighbor,’ ‘love the stranger because you were strangers in the land of Egypt.’ Love the stranger because it is the right thing to do, the religious thing to do!
Every Bar/Bat Mitzvah, every couple marrying, and every baby naming has had a mitzvah project to thank God for the goodness of life.
In every loss we remember others, to help lift them up to life.
If we increase joy and goodness in our world
we will crowd out the bad news.
‘Run’ to do a Mitzvah, Run to do a Good deed!
Learn from these examples that we do not have to build our world on cynicism, rather we can build together by affirming the great human beliefs at the core of our religion, which are the basis for human civilization.
Gimel on a the dreidel – means ‘great’ – On this dreidel of the New Year, when we have added a Gimel, may this be a ‘great’ year of kindness, health, success and prosperity. May all of you pay off your loans, and may those of you seeking love – find it. May you enjoy being parents, ‘grandparents,’ and great grandparents. May you be less lonely and little bit wiser, and may you and your loved ones be inscribed in the Book of Life and Peace for 5773. May we roar like lions and soar on the wings of eagles as enjoy our festivals in joyous Thanksgiving for the gift of goodness that is life. Zachreinu L’Chaim – Remember us for life.
May you and your loved ones be inscribed in the book of life for a
Shana Tova.