Congregation Shaarai Shomayim

Rabbi's Weekly Message

September 25, 2009

Haazinu Deut. 32:1-52

Dear Friends:

One of my big worries every single year at this time is that over the past year I have done things that have created unhappiness, discontent, and even anger for some of you. Some of you have called my attention to things I’ve done wrong, others have kept it inside. The only thing I can assure you of is that I never had any intent of causing anyone pain. Nevertheless, at this season of atonement, I apologize for any pain I’ve caused. I hope that together we can atone, and together we can forgive. I look forward to standing with you as a single community in our effort to restore relationships on Sunday night and during the day on Monday.

As soon as we are done with Neilah, the concluding service on Yom Kippur, even before breaking the fast, some will go out to at least pound one nail that will eventually lead to the construction of a sukkah. 1800 year ago, though, there was a discussion among the Rabbis. When the Torah tells us to dwell in sukkot for 7 days, what exactly did the Torah have in mind? Was it really commanding us to build little huts as we learn the Israelites did at each encampment during their 40 years of wandering in the desert, or are we to be aware that we always live in metaphorical sukkot, in ananei kavod, the clouds of God’s glory?

On one hand, we have these flimsy little structures. We hear and feel the wind. The hut sways a little. There is no protection from rain, dew, insects, or noise in the street. It’s easy to be stirred awake for one who sleeps outside. We are, quite intentionally, reminded how fragile our existence is. On the other hand, as we imagine ourselves enveloped in the clouds of God’s glory, we have the opportunity to experience the majesty of the created world. While 2000 years of tradition have opted for the physical structure, the discussion among the rabbis is fascinating (among other things because even 2000 years ago, there were those who believed that Torah was not always meant to be taken literally).

At our upcoming festival celebration, beginning one week from tonight, I would like to suggest that we experience both the clouds of God’s glory and the physical structure of the sukkah. Next Friday night, we will NOT meet for services at the Temple. Instead, we will gather at the Lancaster County Park. Bring a Shabbat/holiday picnic for your family, join us for services, and then we will have the opportunity to experience the natural beauty of the park and the clouds of God’s glory on a “full moon hike.” (Sukkot always begins at the time of the full moon.) For those wondering how to dress, it was suggested to me that jeans are in order.

On Saturday morning, October 3, we will have the opportunity for study, prayer, and activities in celebration of the holiday. We can see and sit in the tangible sukkot on our bima and in the backyard. Both of these events are designed as intergenerational experiences. I hope to share in this celebration with many of you. See the attached flyers for all the details for both of these holiday celebrations and for our Shmini Atzeret/Simchat Torah observances as well.

For now, G’mar Chatima Tova to you and yours. May you be sealed for a year of blessing in the book of life.

Shabbat Shalom u’m’vorach. Have a Shabbat of peace and of blessing.

Sincerely,

Jack P. Paskoff,

Rabbi

September 11, 2009

Dear Friends:

While I might need it more frequently, this past weekend’s Long’s Park Crafts Fair gave me an annual dose of humility. I am humbled and awed each year at this event as I realize the wonderful creativity that exists in this world. Such talent completely bypassed me when God was apportioning it among the people of the world. While we were there, we stopped and had a brief conversation with one of the exhibitors, Chris Coffey, who was showing black and white photos of trees and other things in nature. As we were talking about the unique qualities of his work, he talked about the fact that his art was not about the latest and greatest equipment, but about learning to see. He said, “Put your camera away, and you will learn how to see.” At that moment, I thought back to Ari’s infancy and toddler years, when, like so many parents, I walked around with a camcorder. It didn’t take long before I put the recorder away. I didn’t want to see my son’s life through a viewfinder.

As all of this was going through my mind, I thought about the High Holiday season, and about how so much of it is really about learning how to see. How do I learn to see what’s really in front of me, unimpeded by any variety of devices, physical or metaphorical? How do I come to see myself, family and friends, my community, my people, and my God, without the various “cameras” that we often hide behind? And seeing my reality, perhaps for the first time, what adjustments do I need to make in the lighting, the perspective, and the composition to clarify and beautify what I see before my eyes, not to mask the reality, but to enhance it?

The holidays are hard. If we “do” them right, they should be, but again, always with the knowledge that we can re-shape our lives so we can be happier, healthier, more fulfilled, and more connected to others and to God if we do our work well. The fact that the work is hard is one of the reasons that we begin early. We don’t wait for Rosh Ha-Shanah itself. We will actually begin tomorrow night with Slichot. We will begin at 7:00 with some social time, followed by the movie, “God on Trial,” and discussion, before we go to the sanctuary for the Slichot service. Our custom has long been to use Slichot for the changing of the Torah covers from those we use throughout the year, to the purity represented by the white covers we use during the holiday season. Feel free to invite friends to join with us.

This holiday season, let’s learn to see the world as it really is together. Let’s be honest with ourselves and with each other. Let’s see our shortcomings, but also our uniqueness and our blessings. Let this be the spirit in which we enter the season of the Yamim Noraim, the Days of Awe that we observe in the weeks to come.

Shabbat Shalom u’m’vorach. Have a Shabbat of peace and of blessing.

Sincerely,

Jack P. Paskoff,

Rabbi

September 04, 2009

Dear Friends:

Anticipating that response to this e-mail is more likely to be negative rather than positive reminds me that I must have a masochistic streak. So be it. The issue really comes down to this: In a religious movement that proudly proclaims the right of the individual to make informed choices for him/herself and family, is there ever a time for a rabbi to say, “A Jew should . . . ,” or are we left merely to coax and cajole? Obviously, my suggestion that this is masochistic on my part tells you that I believe that there is, in fact, a time for rabbis to say that there are certain expectations for the ways Jews should behave.

I believe that the High Holidays are days that Jews should be together with community, and that that should take place in the synagogue. This year, Rosh Ha-Shanah is on a weekend. Do we attend services and bring our children and grandchildren, do we all go to watch the kids play football and soccer, do we enjoy the opportunity for a weekend get-away, or do we celebrate the holiday? Yom Kippur is Sunday night and Monday. Do we pull the kids out of school? Do we take the day off from work? Will my child miss too much work? Is this how I want to use a vacation day?

Here are a few realities:

1) These holidays are not designed for people to choose either morning or afternoon. Each service offers different things—sermon, Torah reading, music, shofar. These are full days to be devoted to prayer, repentance, and forgiveness.

2) A festive dinner with family and friends is a great prelude to attending services together. It is not a substitute.

3) “These services make me feel judged and guilty.” If that’s the case, you’re missing a big part of the intent. These holidays should inspire healing and hope.

4) “These services are so serious/boring/intense.” Yes, these are weighty themes. For fun, make sure you come back on Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Chanukah, and Purim.

5) “My child will miss school/the game.” Possibly, but this is a great time for them to be taught several lessons about being a minority, being proud of who they are, and yes, even that being Jewish can present certain challenges. Kids will respond following the lead of their parents. If you treat the holidays as a chore and a hardship, your kids will complain. If you present it as an honor and a source of pride, they will celebrate. It is up to you to fill your children with a strong sense of self that will transcend the challenges. Part of that “self” is their Jewishness.

6) “I spend part of every day examining my behavior. What is so special about these days?” These are the days for us to contemplate who we are as part of a community and a people. We learn that our deeds, both individually and collectively, impact the fate of the entire world.

7) “Fasting is hard. I get really uncomfortable.” Think about the intent of Yom Kippur. Think about those in the world who are hungry every day. Bring in a bag of food for our food drive and/or make a donation to Mazon.

So, my friends, you may agree or disagree, but I would not be true to the message of these days if I didn’t invite, encourage, coax, cajole, teach, and remind all of us that this is a time of year for us to be together, to put aside other demands, needs, and wishes to strengthen our congregation with our presence and our participation. Plan ahead. The new year begins two weeks from tonight. May it be a good one for us all.

Shabbat Shalom u’m’vorach. Have a Shabbat of peace and of blessing.

Sincerely,

Jack P. Paskoff,

Rabbi