As many if you already know, I spent three weeks this past summer in Jerusalem. This was my first summer as a member of the Rabbinic Leadership Initiative (RLI) of the Shalom Hartman Institute. This is an intensive three-year training program for a group of “hand-picked” rabbis from all denominations: Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Recostructionist.
Our schedule was very full indeed. Each morning began at 8.30 AM and we often did not finish until after 10 at night. And then it was time to go home to study and prepare for the next day! We were blessed with the opportunity to hear from some of the finest minds in Israel and to wrestle with some of the thorniest, most complex and vexing issues facing Israel and the entire Jewish people.
However, for me, what was most inspiring was to sit with other passionate and dedicated rabbinic colleagues. We debated issues, shared ideas, supported each other, learned from each other. One way of study in Judaism is by chevruta, study partners. Studying and learning together in this manner is intense, but what one learns from other members of the chevruta is amazing. The program continues through the year with weekly study with chevruta and also interactive classes via Skype (on the internet) from the Hartman Institute.
The past few months at Saturday services at Temple Bat Yam we have been focusing on a study of Jewish Mysticism, or Kabbalah. The foundation text for Kaballah is called the Zohar. As a part of studying classic Jewish texts at the Hartman Institute we studied the Zohar. One of the fundamental beliefs in the Zohar is that not only do we need God, but God needs us to realize God’s potential in the world. We are not passive recipients of Divine decrees and judgments; according to the Zohar only when we take the initiative to act does God respond to our most heartfelt yearnings. We must invite God in; without our initiative God will remain distant and removed from the world. My colleague Rabbi Carnie Rose tells a beautiful story about our responsibility to motivate God’s immanent involvement in the affairs of the world.
There is a tale of a Chassid who-despite his best efforts-could not seem to connect with God. He prayed three times daily, kept Kosher, observed Shabbat,and performed all the mitzvot…but it was to no avail. Frustrated and on the verge of despondency, he sought the counsel and guidance of his Rebbe. “Rebbe—I have tried everything and yet I cannot seem to make a connection with the Holy One of Blessing. What am I doing wrong? Why don’t I sense God’s presence in my life?”
“My son, I have but one question for you. In all that you have done, in all that you have observed, in all that you have tried, have you once simply turned to God and earnestly invited God in? Have you ever extended an invitation to God to be part of your life?”
Nedless to say, once awakened to this insight, the young initiate was quickly able to reframe his life and establish a deep, intimate and abiding relationship with God.
As we enter the High Holy Days let us remember the teaching from the Zohar. Let us invite God into the framework and fabric of our lives. And in turn, may each one of us, our families, our congregation, our community, our country, the State of Israel and the entire world be blessed by Divine abundance.
Richard and I wish each one of you a Shanah Tova—a good, prosperous, healthy and peaceful New Year 5771.
