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HEBREW TABERNACLE CONGREGATION February 20, 2010 D’var Torah
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“No man is an island, entire of itself, every man is a piece of a continent. All mankind is of one author, one volume” wrote John Donne in his poem “For whom the bell tolls”. No one person is alone in this universe, we all contribute to one book, one volume, in order to succeed as the human race, there must be synergy. The ability to put the past behind us, to compromise willingly and by all means avoid violence or damage to the Earth we have been granted. Seceding from Great Britain way back in the 1800’s was a step away from unity. Yes, America has become one of the most successful countries, respected, a place for people to start with a clean slate in life. But, it was the beginning of a conspiracy. The notion that every man is his own army, every different piece of land stands on his own. We have forgotten the meaning of synergy. The intention of goodness is not
enough to support the whole world because leaders will always protect and
supply their countries needs first. We need to learn to think as a world, not
separate islands. In the description of the ark I took note of the phrasing
in how the cherubim were placed facing each other, their wings spread out, in
one solid piece of gold covering the top of the ark, with the tablets of the
ten commandments placed inside. Significantly, the cherubim facing each
other, the angels meaning goodness, meant that they needed to look at the two
opposites. The two different opinions, and with their wings spread, take
‘flight’ and take action. The stone tablets with the commandments engraved on
them inside shows that with these rules, these guidelines we can build a safe
community. The two opposing cherubim are part of the same solid piece of gold
which says to me we must share supplies, share land and learn to peacefully
deal with equally dividing food, money, land because true unity embraces
separate tensions. This picture of opposing forces on the cover of the Torah
symbolizes that there will always be a different perspective, multiple ways
to solve a situation, but in the end we are all united, the cover, the top of
the holy Torah. Two different opinions, Republican vs. Democrat, Jewish vs.
Christian, doesn’t matter. Only the reminder that we are all in this
together. Each individual piece, each human adds to our continent creating
this one united human race. In these last few months in
preparation for my Bat Mitzvah I met the Song family. Recently moving to New
York from China, they warmly took me into their house conveniently across the
street from our building. I met the adorable, 3 year old Andrew, barely
speaking English, with energy that could last 24/7. From making pancakes at
my house and scallion pancakes at his house to reading numerous books and
playing with wooden trains, I have not only felt accomplished at expanding
Andrew’s knowledge, but mine too. I can honestly say I never knew so much
Chinese culture in terms of food, toys and the language and I can proudly
name every single Thomas The Tank Engine And Friends train. Helping him along
with words and signs, it felt good to know I was making a difference even if
it was just a grammar correction he would never make again or that the cow
doesn’t go ‘quack’ but goes ‘moo’. Although eastern and western cultures are
considered polar opposites I feel as if our families were the two angels
(except not in a negative way). Just in a way that we do some things
differently and we can learn from each other. My mother once said after a
Sunday visit “We’re not all that different, we sleep and eat. Heck, you both
love orange juice.” I remember smiling remembering Andrew whining not for
milk but for “Orange juice, Orange juice!” Sometimes after you really get to
know someone, you can relate more and even feel gratitude at culture
differences as a chance to teach, learn and get some new recipes. Practically every other day in
school a student comes around collecting money for the Haiti relief; I see an
ad to text “help” to a 1-800 number to send money to the Haitians. I can’t
say “I know what it’s like.” I still complain about my allowance not being
big enough but I know enough that when everyone puts in the smallest amount
of effort to help, it will make the biggest difference. So I put my dollar
into the school’s jar. I know it wasn’t much, but it was a difference.
Everyone says “If I put in a dime it doesn’t matter so I’ll just keep it
anyway, but what they don’t see is that it does help. Well-off countries like
America and Europe are too busy dealing with distribution of money to see we
are leaving behind a lot of places in need. In
my Torah portion at one point, Moses asks for every Israelite to contribute a
gift to the building of the ark. And each person gave in a gift of one of the
things off the list God made and gave to Moses to help with the ark. “The
Lord spoke to Moses saying: Tell the Israelite people to bring Me gifts. You
shall accept gifts for me from every person who’s heart so moves him. Gold, silver
and copper. Blue, purple and crimson yarns. Fine linen. Goat’s hair, tanned
ram skins. Dolphin skins and Acacia wood.” Everyone who wants to be part of
the community must contribute to it. If you participate, you show your
willingness to dedicate your loyalty to the Israelites. “All mankind is of one author,
one volume.” We all belong to the same book. A gazillion characters all
shoved into an endless story. God, our
author, the writer of the way things turn out. And no matter how things turn
out, we have each other. Friends and family, educators ,government leaders.
There will always be another conflict to face, a challenge to take on, but
together as one, united, we can make change. First and foremost, I’d like to thank
Sandy Horowitz and Cantor Pincus for guiding me through this process with
faith in me and always keeping me interested through long sessions here in
the sanctuary to meetings after Hebrew school in the library. Rabbi Gale, for writing all those blue
cards and with my speech. My family, for putting up with turning up the
speakers of my recorded aliyot and enthusiastically help plan my party. My friends,
for always walking me to Hebrew tutor and school no matter what. The Song
family for inviting me into their home and for the orange juice and scallion
pancakes! The Gellert/Gershonowitz family for helping me along the way with
my project and inspiring ideas for my speech. Neil and Jillian, the best
Hebrew school teachers. My mom, for staying involved the whole way despite
unreliable party spaces and my reluctance to write my speech. Of course,
everyone for coming! And spell check, helping me make the bare minimum
grammar mistakes. Without all of you by my side, I never
could have gotten through this. This book that we’re all part of
has got some negative moments and tons of quirks but this chapter has
definitely changed the way I see the world and what and who I want to be in
it.
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