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God and Moses Walk into a Bar

12/17/2020 06:59:55 AM

Dec17

Scene: A Random Bar

Characters: God and Moses

Setting: Moses initiates the first fundraising campaign, with God serving as Moses’ fundraising consultant:

 

God: Moses, you know this Tabernacle is gonna cost a few shekels.

Moses: Well, it was Your idea to make it light and portable, yet dynamic and beautiful enough to do You proud.

God: Now, don’t blame me. These people have the pyramids of Egypt in their rear-view mirror.  It’s gotta be a little bit grand in order to keep their attention. 

Moses: All right, I get it.  But I think I am really going to have to threaten them in order to get these ex-slaves to part with some of their booty.  I mean, I still can’t get the image out of my mind of those Egyptians just handing over their shekels.

God: Well, there were those 10 plagues we brought. 

Moses: We?

God: I mean… I brought.  It’s this “Royal We” thing in translation that gets a bit messy.  I guess I should have thought about that back in Babel. 

Moses: Well, I still have my doubts about this fundraising effort.  So, what tack do you think I should try with them?  Fire and brimstone?  Staffs at High Noon?  Killer frogs?

God: Nah….give em a break. I think you should just ask them nicely – no pretense, no high-jinx, just use the magic word.

Moses: What’s the magic word?

God: Jethro.

Moses: Jethro?!, my father-in-law?

God: Just kidding. A little divine humor, Dante. 

Moses: What? 

God: Nothing.  Just ask all those who are moved in their heart to give, to do so. 

Moses: Asher lidveinu libo?

God: Yes, those who are moved in their hearts.  They are the ones who should give. 

Moses: I like that.  I mean, what we are building here is a portable structure for creating spiritual space….space for You, and by You, I mean We.  Am I using it right? 

God: Not exactly but you are catching my drift.  What I want them to know is that the best kinds of human organizations will always best be served by the voluntary generosity of time, talent and treasure. Im ein kemach, ein Torah.

Moses: Without flour, there’s no Torah?

God: No Moses, without money, there’s no Torah.  (Without money, time and bringing one’s best efforts.)  Great meaning and purpose are derived from the subsequent sharing of limited resources – it requires cooperation, generosity and keeping in mind that the more one invests in the organizations that have served her well, the stronger the community can become.  Every gift, no matter how large or small, is imbued with a spiritual depth that anchors the moment, the experience, the prayer and the people in something Divinely meaningful. 

Moses: So it really is the thought that counts!

God: That…and making sure you can pay the bills….

 

Shma Koleinu is built from the inspiration of this first “building campaign.”  We are a portable, flexible, inspired community that is here for you when you need us – whether weekly, monthly  or even just a few times a year.  Your support is what makes this possible.

 

Thank you to our sustaining contributors.  Your trust and faith in us keeps us going strong. (Sustaining Contributor = a household that donates any amount on a regular monthly or yearly basis.)

 

To those of you who have utilized our “services,” but have not yet participated in the funding of Shma Koleinu, please consider doing so.  Manna only fell from heaven back in the day.

 

And if you are so moved (and for some of you, perhaps your investments have moved in an upward direction), and you wish to raise or make an additional contribution this year, helping us “Strike our match,” we greatly look forward to hearing from you.  All the information can be found at www.cskhouston.com.

 

With love and great affection for this inspiring job,

 

Rabbi Scott

 

Thu, March 28 2024 18 Adar II 5784