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“Keep Jews out of the News”

11/15/2019 03:09:43 PM

Nov15

For much of the 20th and so far in the 21st century, and let’s face it, for most of Jewish existence, the “Oy Gevalts” over our existence have been a constant of Jewish life.  From the new book, The 100 Most Jewish Foods: A Highly Debatable List, regarding Horseradish, “Let the WASPs have their Worcestershire; leave it to the Jews to turn suffering into a craving.” 

Sociologists and historians, genealogists and Rabbis have wrung their hands over the “What if’s” of Jewish life, ever more profoundly in our day and age.  And these are worthwhile conversations, even as I believe that we are a far more resilient people than we give ourselves credit for.  But the question that arises to me, in a day and age when the number of Jewish surnames of people in legal (or at least moral) trouble in the news, seems to be more common than I remember, is what will ensure that a Jewish moral sensibility remains a core value of Jews and the Jewish people?   This isn’t to cast aspersions against Jews (chas v’shalom), but to ask what it takes to remember the challenge (not the bestowal) placed upon us: “You shall be a Kingdom of Priests and a Holy people.”  It’s the “You Shall” part to which we really need to pay attention.  This is our injunction, not our automatic state of being.  So for the next few Shabbats, I am embarking on an effort I am calling, “Keep Jews out of the News,” and with it, I will seek to address the crucial moral lessons promulgated by our tradition, and to which when Jewish adults pay heed, there is far less reason to hear about our surnames in the “tabloids.”

This week, tonight, Shabbat, November 15, I will address the subject of “Truth and Lying” and our tradition’s adjudication as to when Lying is permitted (and thus when Truth is required as well). And if you are looking for a good summation of the behaviors that have caused me this concern, check out this article from HaAretz.  

Join us tonight at the Merfish Teen Center, 9000 S Rice, Houston, TX. 77096.

6:00 pm – Oneg

6:30 pm – Service

Thu, March 28 2024 18 Adar II 5784