Rosh HaShannah: Some Personal Observations

The High Holiday season is a hard time for rabbis. Understandably, it is the busiest time of the year: after a lazy, quiet summer you have to hit the ground running! As the holidays approach it is time to make Rosh HaShannah “happen” for everyone else. Sermons, logistics, planning, honors, participation, and more must all be done so that services flow smoothly. All the “behind the scenes” work has to be completed so that all is ready when the crowds begin to gather. You can’t say “come back later.” It is a time during which the rabbi gets “one chance” to touch people, to get the message across, to set the stage for the year ahead, and to create a spiritual framework for the season.
Through all of this the role of the rabbi is to make sure that everyone gets to reconnect with the traditions of Judaism. This is all well and good. It is, after all, the reason that I and others become rabbis . Although it is a big task I always feel that it is a great privilege to stand before a congregation and have the opportunity to speak about our traditions. It is an honor to lead others in prayer and one by which I am always humbled.
With all of these tasks to do at Rosh HaShannah it is often hard for me to make a spiritual time for myself. I liken it to cooking for a crowd but the cook never gets to eats! Allow me to share some of my personal thoughts about the holidays that keep me going (and, yes, sneaking a snack for myself.)
I believe that to live as a Jew you must live with passion- passion for our traditions, passion for life, and passion for the beliefs that make you who you are. That’s a very big order—the daily grind of life often steals our passions. Our daily struggles rob our energy, our time, and our passions. The High Holidays serve as a time to step back from the daily grind to rediscover and recharge those passions! It is often impossible to live in the world of the spirit—the holidays are like a mini vacation for the soul. That fact alone makes Rosh HaShannah and Yom Kippur the very best time to reconnect to your Jewish heritage and to yourself.
Although I might have the chance to speak to a thousand people over the course of the holidays I can only do that if I take the time to speak to myself first. I can only remind others about those things that I remember myself.

Back On Track: Rosh HaShannah

There is a ritual that we observe on the first day of Rosh HaShannah called Tashlich. The word means “casting away.” It is a part of the celebration of the new year and our preparation for Yom Kippur. (We perform Tashlich the second day if the first day was Shabbat.) The custom observed by most communities is to gather at a spot where there is free flowing water (pretty easy in Florida) and, after several Biblical verses are read, we cast bread into the water to symbolize the “casting away of our sins.”
There are communities that don’t include “the bread” but make Tashlich an oral declaration only. However one does it, it is clear that Tashlich is a symbol of what we hope to achieve during the High Holiday period—to rid ourselves of all those traits that we wish we could “throw away,” and retain the parts of our personalities that are the noblest!
If only it was that easy! We often make plans to change our behavior, our attitudes, stop bad habits, and improve ourselves. Of course we know how that usually turns out—we have great goals but most often fall short of what we planned. How great would it be if getting rid of all our bad habits or problems were as easy as throwing some stale bread into the water!! Wow – the world could be a better place pretty quickly! From experience we all know that the only thing that is really that easy is to make another mistake! Things don’t change by just wishing for them to be different.
With this said, should we despair? Should we give up on bettering ourselves by using the excuse that we “will probably just fail again?” One enduring message of this holiday season is an answer to that question: No, it is not easy to change, it is not easy to break old habits, and it is not easy to change one’s behavior. Often it is a slow process with ups and downs, with success and with failure. Nothing comes as easy as Tashlich—but by performing this one small ritual we are reminded of the message of Rosh HaShannah and Yom Kippur—getting back on track is always possible.
As we head into the holiday season it is not too early to start our spiritual preparation – we may dismiss rituals like Tashlich as “silly” – a simple act that really doesn’t change anything. That’s true on one level but the larger truth is that sometimes such rituals can serve as a reminder of what is possible. It’s been a very tough year for all Americans so a little reminder about “what is still possible” couldn’t hurt anyone!

Will Israel be Forced to do America’s Dirty Work?

Looks can be deceiving. Relatively calm water can hide great dangers below the surface. While that might be a good weather forecast for hurricane season, it is an even more accurate forecast for conditions in Israel. We have been focused on American problems for months and, since the flotilla confrontation, the news from Israel has not been that alarming. I remind you, however, looks are deceiving. The American press has been under-reporting events in the Middle East to such an extent that we have been lulled into thinking that things are “normal” (What ever that would mean for Israel.) The truth is that tensions are growing every day. Last week Israeli and Lebanese soldiers exchanged fire with deaths on both sides. Recent rocket attacks from Gaza have struck Israel again. Arabs leaders have gathered to urge restraint and ask Turkey to serve as a messenger between Israel and Arab states. Some signs seem to indicate that Turkey may no longer fill that role.
Of course there remains the most dangerous state in the Middle East—Iran. While other Arab states seem to sense that an all out war would be bad for everyone, we have to face the ugly reality that Iran is just waiting for the ability to turn Israel into a mushroom cloud. Likewise there are forces in the Arab world waiting to destabilize Saudi Arabia, poison its oil, and, in that way, bring America to her knees. It is also frightening that our administration is doing little to discourage any of these scenarios. Both to placate the Arab world and the American Left our administration shows little serious intent to confront Iran.
T hese factors seem to be putting all the conditions in play for a real catastrophe- even Time magazine has recently described the current situation as the most dangerous set of circumstances in years despite the “relative calm.” Is this the calm before the storm? Only time will tell but I, for one, will be holding my breath for a quiet holiday season! Netanyahu has already remarked that any attack will be met with immediate and full response. That is code for: should war come, it will be full force and fast. Israel has learned that it can’t afford the luxury of hesitation.
Just one last observation: I think very few of us have been happy with the current support that America gives Israel. Too ambivalent. There has been a recent development you may not have heard about- House Resolution 1553, sponsored by Representative Louie Gohmert (R, Texas) and 46 other US Representatives. Resolution 1553 both condemns Iran’s threats against America and Israel and “supports using all means” for Israel to deal with that threat. This resolution is the “green light” for Israel to strike. While that may be Israel’s only choice at some point, I only hope that this will not amount to Israel having to do America’s “dirty work” at a time in which every decision can ignite a regional conflict. Pray for Israel!

Cordoba House Revisited but not Reconsidered
Several weeks ago I wrote an op-ed piece titled “Chutzpah Redefined” in which I argued against the building of a 13 story mosque/community center adjacent to Ground Zero, the former site of the World Trade Center. I stand by my comments made then and, based upon the feedback I received; I believe I gave voice to what many of my readers believe. You can find the original piece on my blog “yaakovthompson.blogspot.com.”This week I revisit the issue in answer to a recent op-ed in the Miami Herald.
On July 21 Leonard Pitts, a columnist for the Herald, argued against what I had said and quoted passages from my original piece. I have met Mr. Pitts a couple of times and respect his work but I must respond to his criticisms of my position. Mr. Pitts accuses me of opposing the building and “condemning” its supporter. He writes “… the rabbi still demands New York tells them No. In doing so, he blithely legitimizes the idea that tribe is destiny, that you and I are each individually answerable for the crimes of those who merely look like, talk like, or pray like, us.”

To answer Mr. Pitts, my comments did not “condemn “any one. I did not condemn any individual but, rather , what I consider to be a bad idea. I do not consider Muslims to be a “tribe” with corporate guilt- I made it clear that the supporters of Cordoba House are not terrorists—I did not accuse them of anything. My argument is that the building of a mosque at Ground Zero is more “chutzpadik” than common sense can explain. Why create a confrontation that is unnecessary? Mr. Pitts wrote that the new mosque would be “unavoidably painful and provocative.” What? It is avoidable… just don’t build it at Ground Zero! Why would one advocate for an action that is, by his own words, “painful and provocative.” (To quote a phrase, “Just say No!”) In a rhetorical question to me Pitts challenges, “aren’t Muslims Americans too?” Yes they are. But as Americans can we not ask of them some sensitivity and awareness that the planned action would be (avoidably) painful?
Mr . Pitts wrote that he fears “a nation where a rabbi can blandly condemn someone, not for his crimes but for the crimes of his tribesmen. Speaking of tribesmen Mr. Pitts, what does it matter if I am a rabbi or a plumber? Am I not an American either? I am not faulting a tribe as I said before nor am I defending my “tribe.” I am merely asking, as an American, why should we allow/support an action that is simply in-your-face- upsetting to so many? Do we have to build the mosque just to prove what a good, gracious, and loving people we are? I, for one, think that America and her people have demonstrated that many times.
Mr. Pitts concluded his column with the following, “So yes, putting that building in that place might be painful… but it would be a reminder of the very values the terrorists sought to kill.” I don’t think we need a mosque at Ground Zero to affirm American values. I would appeal to the national values, of healing and reconciliation. How can Cordoba House, if built at the proposed site, contribute to those goals?

Anybody Home?

I can’t believe it… Congress finally did something right! My regular readers will know that a statement like that is unusual for me so let me explain: After the hypocritical outrage of the world community following Israel’s flotilla “incident” stories appeared about these reactions. We do not need to recount the self-serving lies of the UN or the President’s total refusal to stand with Israel and affirm her right to self-defense. It was all one more well orchestrated deception to condemn Israel for actions that were legal and moral to anyone willing to look at the facts (and the video!) Nonetheless it became one more chance for Israel’s enemies to appeal for help against the “terrible aggressor.” That was nothing new, the only new element was the lack of support from America. I would like to place that failure on the White House where it belongs. There is one more element to the story that has been tragically under-reported by the media- it has remained so far “below the radar” that it seems many people are not even hearing about it.
Congress has taken a definitive stand in support of Israel by writing a letter to President Obama stating that it is “in our national interest to support Israel at a moment when Israel faces multiple threats from Hamas in Gaza, Hizbullah in Lebanon, and the current regime in Iran.” This letter was signed by 87 senators. Four days earlier the House sent a similar letter signed by 320 members of the House of Representatives. The House letter included a call to the President to use the veto power of the US in the UN Security Council to block “one-sided, anti-Israel resolutions.”
These numbers indicate that at least three-fourths of American law-makers recognize Israel’s right to protect herself and her on-going importance to American security. That is an important number—it should remind us that most Americans understand the realities of the situation even if they seem to be too hard for the White House to grasp.
Congress has gone on record to support Israel and to call attention to the fact that the flotilla and its sponsor, the IHH, are nothing more than the puppets of organizations that the US government has already identified as terrorist groups. Still the White House prefers to be silent. I applaud and thank the Senate and the House for their support. I am sorry that the story is not getting more coverage. I thank these lawmakers who have sent a “special delivery” message to the White House. I only wonder one thing…. when the mailman came to deliver was anyone home?

Redefining Chutzpah

Remember when chutzpah was a Jewish attribute? Remember when chutzpah was a bad thing as in “how could you have the chutzpah to say such a thing?” I think chutzpah used to be a good thing also- it explains the “nerve” of the Jewish spirit to survive despite all the obstacles that we have faced as a people. Well, I think chutzpah has now been refined by a Muslim named Feisal Abdul Rauf, an Imam from New York. Rauf is the spiritual leader of a group of Muslims who have taken chutzpah to a new level! He and his group are behind the Cordoba House Project, a proposal to build a 13 story Islamic center at ground zero. The development would include a mosque, an auditorium, a swimming pool, restaurant, and bookstore. To put it in simple language- this group wants to build a mosque on the ground on which 3000 Americans died in the World Trade Center! If that isn’t chutzpah I don’t know what is!
As I have been following this story there is only one thing that shocks me more than the project. Mayor Bloomberg has publicly supported the building of Cordoba House. How can the mayor of New York City have the chutzpah to say such a thing? I would like to hear him explain his actions to the families who lost loved ones on 9/11. How can any American endorse covering the scars of 9/11 by the building of an Islamic outreach center? If I didn’t know better I would think that this is just a bad joke.
While I realize that those behind Cordoba House have no connection to terrorism, I do wonder what happened to common sense. How could Mayor Bloomberg be so short sighted in this insult to the victims of 9/11? If this is about “forgiveness,” or “plurism,” or some misguided attempt to show how very inclusive our society can be than I must miss the point. To me this is a shameless, suicidal betrayal of the American people. Beyond this I am angered by the limitless chutzpah of anyone who would even think to suggest this proposal. There comes a time to say no. There comes a time to stand up for yourself. I believe that the building of an Islamic center at ground zero should be seen as an insult to the American people.
While we discuss the new limits of chutzpah I would ask you to consider one new way to express chutzpah. How about a little chutzpah for Americans? How about a little self-respect? How about a little common sense? Americans died at ground zero. Americans continue to be threatened by a hostile minority within the world Muslim community. Yes, I ask you to remember that not all Muslims are terrorists- most are wonderful people who should be free to practice their religion in peace and security. But the other side of that argument is that Americans also deserve peace and security. To me the building of a mosque at ground zero will be a distasteful, insensitive, chutzpadik reminder of the murders of innocent Americans. It is time to say no to Cordoba House.

Oil and Water




As I write I am listening to the latest radio report about the oil spill- it has, unfortunately, become a daily ritual. The latest bad news is that the oil is spreading and may touch Florida’s shores for the first time today. I am sure that all of you share my frustration and bewilderment—why is this still going on? I don’t really want to watch more videos of the oil gushing into the water a mile below the gulf’s surface; I just want to hear that someone has found the answer. The proportions of this accident are so huge I don’t think any of us can really grasp it. The worst part for me is that all I can do is stand by and watch- no matter how much I would like to help there is nothing I can do. It reminds me of that very powerless feeling I get when I know that there is a hurricane coming and all any of us can do is watch, wait, and hope for the best. That sense of “powerlessness” is the worst feeling of all- when you know there is something wrong but you can’t do a single thing to stop or prevent it. We always like to feel that we are “in control” – when events remind us that we are actually very seldom in control the world becomes a hostile, threatening place. We don’t like unpredictable. We don’t like random. We humans seem to prefer a world in which we can makes plans and have some idea of what tomorrow will bring.

I think there is, in this circumstance, a certain irony to the old saying that “water and oil don’t mix.” It reminds us that even the forces of nature sometimes do battle with each other and we stand on the sidelines as observers. That sounds so simple but it is such a profound truth to grasp. Our daily lives are lived in the microcosm of our daily needs – how easy it is to forget that there is a huge world out there! How easy to forget that this huge world runs by its own rules, not by ours!

Faced with these uncertainties there are things that, nonetheless, always remain in our control. First and foremost is our ability to choose how we will react and respond to a world that does not always run the way we would like it to. We can run or we can fight. We can despair or we can hope. How we react to the unexpected is our choice as human beings. As human beings we can never be satisfied merely to observe- every observation should be a call to action. Even when the forces of nature threaten it is our ability to respond to and for each other that can lift humanity above the power of nature itself. Gushing oil is a blind force- it does not choose to flow or stop, to run onto land or into water, to cause harm or provide benefit.

While the world around us works by its own rules, our choices are always our own. While this is a lesson to be learned it comes at a very dear price. Stay tuned- make the right choices- be ready to help.