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“In Loving
Memory Of”
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By Taylor Longenberger
Acrylic on Watercolor Paper
Florence, Italy 2015
Final piece for painting class at the Santa Reparata International School of Art in Florence, Italy to represent the psychological and emotional connections that are present through life and death.
Eikev - Parashah (portion) - Deuteronomy 7:12 - 11:25
Tonight's flower is in honor of my Grandmother Rose. I never met Rose, she died when my father was 18. But I am named after her -- Rose, Robert. If you've ever thought things happen for a reason, then you can appreciate my curiosity about my grandma Rose. (My Hebrew middle name Jonah is after my maternal great Grandfather Joseph.)
Jewish Sages say that naming a baby is a statement of their future character, and their specialness, and their path. "For at the beginning of life we give a name, and at the end of life a "good name" is all we take with us." (Talmud - Brachot 7b - Sha'ar HaGilgulim 24b) According to Talmud, parents receive one-sixtieth of prophecy when picking a name. "An angel comes to the parents and whispers the Jewish name that the baby will embody." (Source Aish.com)
Rose is not my name, but there's still meaning to be found in my connection to it. When wise King Solomon wrote the Shir Hashirim, the Song of Songs, about God's eternal love of the Jewish people, he likened them to a "rose among thorns." And with this analogy King Solomon provided great insights worth contemplating on how the Jewish people have been able to survive long and bitter exile among the nations of the world. What is in a rose?
It is a fundamental principle of the Kabbala that all the things G‑d creates in the lower realm, our physical existence, are expressions of their spiritual elements in the upper realms. Therefore, we may view parts of the physical world as a parable for different aspects of divinity. So it must it be with a rose.
Rabbi Joe Rooks Rapport of Adath Israel Brith Shalom in Louisville KY, tells us that "To understand our world, we must find our place within it. To understand our lives, we must see them as part of a greater whole. To understand our relationship with God, we must understand, somewhat, the nature of God's holiness and how to bring holiness into our own lives as well." "While the ancient texts ... may obscure these basic truths from our modern eyes, still in all, there are lessons buried beneath them that can speak to us as well."
Perhaps a lesson about our survival can be drawn from tonight's Torah portion. Let's see ... for Rose.
Our parashah tonight is from The Book of Deuteronomy, known in Hebrew as Devarim, the fifth book of the Old Testament; and it contains a second statement of Mosaic law. It is Israel's ancient constitution, and one of the oldest constitutions in our possession, dating back to the around the 14th century BCE.
Our portion this week covers verses 7:12 - 11:25. We read that in exchange for our lifelong, multi-generational devotion to God, we are given promises. So, in a sense, as the Jewish people are about to cross over the River Jordan and enter the promised land, Moses is reminding us our Covenant with God. The deal we made. Lest any feelings of buyer's remorse be on the people's minds.
The thing is, while the benefits of this deal were highly relevant to the Jewish people thousands of years ago, we inherited or accepted the same obligations in exchange for the same promises. So what's in it for us today?
Zig Ziglar, a popular motivational and business development speaker, writer, and coach, who inspired millions into his 80s said everyone listens to the same radio station. Wii FM, which stands for "what's in it for me." My Dvar this evening is a perfect example of a terrific sales proposition, for thousands of years ago. Looking at it today, the relevance is obscure at best.
The challenge facing Judaism and Vassar Temple, depends on our ability to answer this question in a relevant way today. Christians get eternal life. It isn't possible to say how that's working out. However, sometimes I do think that Christians have a better marketing and sales strategy. Or at least less likelihood of claims against the guarantee. Let's not even mention the promises to certain martyrs.
Jews on the other hand get a better life on earth. Provided we help build it. We get what we give. So what do we get according to Deuteronomy? Babies, lots of babies. Not only will we multiply, but so will our herds and crops. No worries about sterility. No disease or sickness either. We'll be able to ward off and destroy all our enemies, so we need not fear them. Wait, there's more. Clothes that don't wear out. A land with plenty of water, wheat, barley, figs, pomegranates, olives and honey. Yes, life sounded very good, if you were hearing Moses describe it to you.
And if any of us had any doubts. Just look at what God did for us in Egypt. Come on now, what more testimony do we need than that?
But even if Moses stood hear today, as a stranger in the land, making the same promises he did thousands of years ago in the desert. Would people buy it? Would Moses change his message? What would Moses promise today? Better organic produce, name brands for less, a 3% fixed rate mortgage, better wifi? I suppose if you're trying to have a baby, Moses is still sounding pretty good to you.
Isn't it ironic, that at time when we need a better world, God's message is harder to receive. Because it takes so much effort to make it relevant. And even then, a great leap of faith. And yet, the key to our success, is to find ways to do just that. To make deal relevant. To make it meaningful. As a temple, we have to help transcend time. Not just to go back in time and history to understand our Jewish identity. But to find a 21st century meaning in a 14th century BCE text.
I contend we don't need any new promises or a new deal. .All we truly need is still there. If we look for it. And the sages, and Rabbi's and even your friends from Vassar Temple will help you to find it. So will your personal meditations.
You see, in my opinion an atheist isn't someone who doesn't believe in God. An atheists is someone who hasn't found the meaning of God.
Where do you find the meaning of God? Where? You find God, in a Rose.
Or maybe, at the Western Wall.
Jewish Sages say that naming a baby is a statement of their future character, and their specialness, and their path. "For at the beginning of life we give a name, and at the end of life a "good name" is all we take with us." (Talmud - Brachot 7b - Sha'ar HaGilgulim 24b) According to Talmud, parents receive one-sixtieth of prophecy when picking a name. "An angel comes to the parents and whispers the Jewish name that the baby will embody." (Source Aish.com)
