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Rabbi's Message This space is usually reserved for the Rabbi's Message, but at this season of the year, I have often used it to share a comment made by a student during Confirmation. Brett Levine delivered this one. I think it contains many messages for all of us.
Rabbi Steven Lindemann
It was a cold Shabbat night, and our group stood atop a rooftop in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. The sun lingered above the western horizon, slowly disappearing. As traditional, our group faced the Kotel, which was barely to the left of us, but at this vantage point, was just out of view. Our group chanted Kabbalat Shabbat fervently, occasionally erupting into large circles of dancing and singing. Amidst our davening, we could loudly hear the Muslim call to prayer, breaking into our songs and into the solemn night air. And every so often we could hear the church bells ring, harmoniously ringing and signaling the time of day. And as we concluded Shabbat evening services, these voices hovering over our heads almost became one with the tune of our chants.
At the conclusion, Rabbi Gans, from CBT, told us a short story about one of his experiences about 20 years ago. The Rabbi explained how his wife and he traveled to the Soviet Union during its time of oppression, to deliver Judaic items, mainly menorahs. As a cover story, they justified their need for all of the supplies with a great phobia of darkness, therefore needing these candles and candle holders. The Soviet police allowed them in, where they then met with many of the Jews clandestinely praying whenever possible.
These oppressed Jews were jubilant, elated that they too could be able to light the Shabbat candles at night and say the blessing over a real menorah on Hanukkah. As the duo continued befriending the Jewish community there, they decided to daven Shabbat services at night, fully aware of the potential consequences. And they sang the prayers written in the same Siddurim we use today. They did not pray in fear, but in pride and confidence. Each time there was a knock at the door, the Jews there did not go quiet or disperse, rather they sang louder and more zealously. They did not fear the penalty of prison of Gulag, rather they rejoiced at the opportunity to pray with a Rabbi and to light real Shabbat candles. And as this service concluded, as ours did in Jerusalem, the inquisitive Jews they were with asked them a few questions.
They were awed by the fact that free Jews in America have the opportunity to pray whenever they want, wherever they want, and however they want. They were awed at the fact that American Jews could light the Shabbat candles every Shabbat, without fear of persecution. And they were awed that if an American Jew wanted to go to Israel, it was only a matter of choice, not laws. So these Jews asked the Rabbi, "Do all of the American Jews light the Shabbat candles every Shabbat?" And the Rabbi, not knowing what to say, lied, saying "yes." Again they asked, "Do all of the American Jews travel to Israel, simply because they can?" And again he lied, answering, "yes."
And as I stood there on the rooftop in the Jewish Quarter in the Old City, I had a small epiphany. I stood there facing the holiest place in Judaism, the Western Wall. And I realized that in 10 minutes, I would be at that wall, touching the stone that is the closest place we have left to the Holy of Holies of Second Temple. I realized that million of Jews in this world never had that opportunity to stand here, and million never will.
Still, while they stand in prayer, turn toward the wall, they are facing the place I will be touching in a matter of minutes. This moment was the most meaningful to me of the entire Israel trip. It is here that I realized how fortunate I am to have this opportunity.
So I stand here today, not only wishing to share with you my experience, but to confirm a commitment. Jews are a shrinking minority in the world's arena, and as Jews, we all have an inherent responsibility to support one another unconditionally. As Jews, we all can confirm for ourselves how we choose to express our religion, but brotherhood should transcend any differences we may have.
Kol Israel Aravim zeh la'zeh...
All Jews are responsible for one another. Past, present and future.
Brett Levine
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