Shabbat Thoughts- Fear builds walls

  Rabbi Dr. Professor Mordechai Kaplan, one of the premier intellects of 20^th century Jewish life keenly observed the rapid integration of Jewish people into American society and culture. Kaplan, a Conservative rabbi, wanted to reconstruct Jewish life and society-developing a cohesive Jewish community unafraid of being part of American society. Not intending to create a fourth denomination, he wanted to foster an understanding of Judaism as being much more than a religion. He called it a civilization. From Kaplan’s perspective, fear would have impeded our individual and communal growth.

     I wonder how Rabbi Kaplan would assess the current political climate in Europe and beginning to touch America. Extremist Muslims are bombing, murdering, detonating, beheading and stabbing people of all religious backgrounds and any observer of the European press sees threats to European Jewish life. How would Rabbi Kaplan view the slide of Europe into a spiral of fear and mistrust even as it clings to the ideals of humanitarianism borne out of an ethic based upon respect, charitable giving and concern for the suffering? How are we, Jews, who have immigrated to these shores and been welcomed by Lady Liberty (“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” -words written by Jewish poet Emma Lazarus), to act when we hear loud voices calling for us to close the gates of our free society; close the shores to which 2 million impoverished and desperate Jewish immigrants fled just 3 generations ago?

     Fear builds walls which bar the light (Baal Shem Tov).We have much to fear in these current days. Perhaps the greatest fear is that we shall lose ourselves.

     In this week’s Parsha (Miketz) Viceroy Joseph secretly returns money to the 10 brothers who bought food. Upon returning home and unpacking their bags they discover the money and they are very afraid. Paralyzed by fear, these adults have no idea as to how to proceed. Only much later when the current food runs out and they face an extreme crisis of death by famine, do they decide to communally confront their fear. What will it take for us to come together as a community to face our fear?

The lights of Chanukah burn tonight to teach us the lessons of the Hasmoneans; to fight for freedom and security; to not give in to hopelessness and to stand up for those who have no advocate.

Shabbat Shalom.

Rabbi Steve Silberman

Volunteers are needed for Christmas Day at Providence Hospital. You would be helping out in the Transportation Department from 8:00 AM- 12:00 Noon. If you can help, or have questions, please call Sheri Weber (633-3153).Let us support our Christian neighbors who wish to be at home with their families. 

3) Please remember the Special Shabbat featuring Sammy Rosenbaum on Friday Dec. 18 and a concert on Saturday Dec. 19 at 7:00p.m. featuring Sammy and his band. Bring your friends!