RH Drasha Stephanie

The word “synagogue,” the dictionary says, comes from the Greek for “a gathering together”.  The question becomes, then, a gathering to do, what?  

For many of us, the “gathering” in a synagogue implies pretty much exclusively coming together to pray, for services.  But prayer can be performed anywhere (as we saw last week with Hannah and with Hagar).  

Now, far be it from me to discourage anyone from coming to CBS for services.  Having been President of a synagogue where few members came on any occasion but the High Holidays (and yet expected a minyan whenever THEY had yahrzeit), I say come!  Come!  Enjoy!  Although our ritual requires us to pray communally in order to recite certain prayers, that’s not the whole purpose of a synagogue, or a community. A synagogue such as Congregation Bet Shalom is a “gathering together” for much more, and today I want to talk about all the other ways in which being in a synagogue, in community, can provide you opportunity to participate in mitzvot – and the rewards you will receive in return.

The Rabbis teach that the two greatest mitzvot are found at the beginning and the end of the Torah; mitzvot performed by HaShem on behalf of mankind.  The first is found in Genesis: after Adam & Eve have eaten from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good & Evil, G-d provides them with clothing.   At the end of Deuteronomy, Moshe ascends the mountain and G-d buries him there; the second most important Mitzvah is burying the dead.

Of course, HaShem can perform these Mitzvot all alone – after all, this is the Almighty we are speaking of.  But for mere humans, such mitzvot—and so many others, can only be fully accomplished in Community.

We see that the first Mitzvah in Torah is to provide for clothing for the poor.  Extrapolated from that throughout Torah and the Prophets are exhortations to such communal giving:  clothe the naked, feed the hungry, provide housing for those in need.  Tomorrow’s Haftorah – which I encourage you to read in English as it is chanted in Hebrew – tells us that EXACTLY THESE actions constitute “the Fast which the Lord desires.”  And if we do them, “when you pray, I will hear you; and when you call out, I will answer ‘Hineni’ – here I am.” 

CBS provides communal opportunities for performing these mitzvot throughout the year, not only through donations of food to the Food Pantry in the box in our foyer, but also through participation in community programs to assist needy Tucsonans – Jewish and not – over the course of the year.  The Tikkun Olam projects, spearheaded by Diane Katz, are wonderful ways to work in community to improve the world

CBS provides opportunities, too, to fulfill the Mitzvah of burying the dead.  Some of us participate in the Chevre Kadisha, the Holy community, to prepare bodies for burial.  It is a truly moving experience to wash the remains of someone’s mother, sister, daughter; to clothe and wrap her for returning her body to the Earth, to speak to and pray with her soul and tell her we love and respect her and she is going to G-d.  Rabbi Avi also notifies us when there is a funeral, and those of us who can do so will attend – to comfort the mourners so that they know that the community is here for them, including the Mitzvah of actually shoveling earth into the grave so that we do exactly what G-d did for Moshe.

After the story of providing clothes and before the burying, we have “the Instruction” – which is the literal meaning of Torah.  G-d repeatedly directs the Children of Israel to “follow this Instruction which I have given you.”  The Babylonian Talmud – and, BTW, the word Talmud is translated as “the studying”, meaning, of course, studying Torah -- teaches that “the study of Torah is a greater mitzvah than all the rest.” [I know.  Every Rabbi says “no, THIS mitzvah is the best!”  But hey, that allows us to decide for ourselves which ones WE want to concentrate on, right?]

CBS provides you so many opportunities to fulfill this Mitzvah.  Rabbi Avi teaches three “lunch and learn” classes every week – at Hillel, at the JCC, and at Eli’s Deli.  Other members of our community also teach classes:  in Talmud, and in the teachings of Maimonides.  Not up for such intensive work?  How about learning about spiritual health, with Yoga classes and Meditative Davening?  And if what you REALLY want to do is to try to solve the problems of the Jewish world, come to our wonderful “CBS Think Tank,” led by Rabbi Dr. Howard Schwartz and Prof. David Graizborg, during which we are provided with a smorgasbord of opportunities.  We sample the incredible 3000 year history of the Jewish people through letters and writings by Jews from other times (and sometimes from ours!) who are struggling with the same issues we struggle with today.  We have also read and discussed Bible books most of us don’t usually read – 5 years of Hebrew day school, I certainly never read the Book of Daniel – WOW!  Even more importantly, Dr. Schwartz and Prof. Graizborg put these writings into historical and religious context.  A fabulous way to spend a Shabbat afternoon.  They are holding one tomorrow by the way – you’ll be here anyway, come on over!

Another very important mitzvah – not involving services – is Bikkur Holim, visiting the sick.  We have members of our congregation who are homebound; a recurring visit for as long or a short of a time as you can spare can be a blessing for them, and, as my Dave will tell you, a wonderful opportunity to meet people with amazing lives and wonderful stories to tell.  You can’t make a recurring commitment? Visiting a member in the hospital or in rehab can mean the world to them – and such a mitzvah opportunity for you.  If you would like to know about such opportunities, please speak to Dr. Norm Rubin about it, or call the synagogue office for someone to contact you.

So many more opportunities to contribute to community.  On Shabbat, [AVI WILL IT BE RECITED ON YK?] we ask HaShem to bless ALL the members of the Jewish people, not only “those who come to the synagogue to pray”, but those who provide “lodging for the wayfarer, lamps for lighting, candles and wine for Havdalah, and all those who diligently provide for the needs of the community.”  Everyone can contribute in some way to the needs of the community.

As my father, Z”L, used to say, “We never meet but we eat.”  (Except today, of course).  We have a dedicated group of volunteers who shop for and prepare the best Kiddush in town – you can contribute and be part of a community by joining them.  You can also sponsor such a Kiddush – with extra bells and whistles – if standing in the kitchen isn’t your cup of tea.

Maintaining the synagogue is a Mitzvah – Rabbi Avi has started the opportunity to come Sunday morning to help clean up the grounds.   Raising a Sukkah is also a Mitzvah – come help us put ours up; and Dr. Arnie Merrin is spearheading a group to help you erect yours if you need to. Mitzvot, like air, are all around us – and mitzvot, like air, allow us to breathe in and live well with our Judaism.

Dr. Ole Thienhaus spoke last week about joining the Jewish Community.  He ended by saying that, in essence, we are ALL Jews by Choice, and challenged us to recommit ourselves this year to Jewish observance.  My point here is that “observance” can mean anything from making soup to bringing someone nuts (think I’m a bit fixated on food?).  

It is important for us to remember that our community has survived for 3000 years, not only because of Kashrut and prayer, but also because each member of the community committed him or herself to “the needs of the community.”  You can choose which mitzvot will serve to bring you connection, fulfillment and joy – there is something for everyone, and each of us who volunteers and contributes finds incredible satisfaction in the fruits of our labors.

I want to close by quoting the words of Rabbi Hillel.  Not the original Golden Rule (an interesting subject for another day), but these words:

Im ain ani li, mi li?

Im rak l’aztmi, mah ani?

Im lo achshav, az matai?

If I am not for myself (or for ourselves!) who will be for me?

If I am only for myself, what am I?

And if not now, then when?

G’mar Hatimah Tovah – may we all have an easy fast, and be inscribed in the Book of Life for the coming year.