The August Bulletin Article
by Rabbi MIller
Where are we going?
“Man is the missing link between apes and human beings.” - Konrad Lorenz
As you review the
events of the world since the turn of the century, do you find yourself
asking questions such as, “Where are we headed?”
“What’s to become of humanity?”
Last century, with
the advent of World War II, we saw the “invention”
of “Total War”; in other words subjecting the unarmed, civilian
population to military attack. Prior to this, wars had been fought on
the battlefield, now the battlefield included everywhere and everyone.
In this century we see the escalation of terrorist attacks and suicide bombers. No warning is given, and the targets here are primarily unarmed and unsuspecting individuals who may not have any connection to the objective the terrorists are trying to achieve.
We also are witnessing the growth of religious “fundamentalism” - Islamic and otherwise; the basic premise of this is a fanatic attachment to ones beliefs, coupled to an equally fanatic refusal to allow for any dissenting opinion. More than that, anyone who might diverge can be considered an enemy of the public welfare, a blasphemer, a satan. From here it isn’t too difficult to justify the extermination of the perpetrators of such moral evil, especially if such extermination is done in the name of religion.
We’re not talking about ancient history. We’re talking about the here and now: everyday events. We can also project in our minds what this trend might lead to if it continues unchecked. Not a happy thought.
While these events may be taking place on a global level, they all lead back to individuals and the choices they make. They reflect attitudes and values, cultural norms and human nature. One thing they don’t reflect is…a global perspective! Nor do they reflect a vision of human beings all created in the Divine image. In my wildest imaginings I fail to see how the Creator of the World would justify wholesale and cruel slaughtering of His very own creatures.
Our Jewish Tradition is meticulous about the due process of Law; of the need for evidence by eye witnesses; it considers circumstantial evidence in capital cases inadmissible.
As we move towards the Yammim Noraim; to Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, the idea of God as melech - Divine Ruler - comes into the foreground. We envision the world entering a period of Divine scrutiny. Not only nations, but we as individuals are judged.
So it becomes a time for self-examination; an honest evaluation of how we have acted during the past year and what we are making of our own lives; and what steps we need to take to change. The fact is that others are affected by our behaviors and our choices; sometimes in ways that we can’t even imagine. It’s a shame to think that one could go through life and not take the time to process what it’s all about. Our High Holydays provide us with the opportunity. It’s up to the individual to take advantage of it.
In this spirit I hope to examine some of the unique themes to be found in our High Holyday machzor during our “Learner’s” Services in the weeks preceding Rosh HaShanah. I hope we can uncover the profound beauty they exhibit as well as the vision they express about the role of humanity in the Divine Plan.
I hope you will be able to join me as we prepare to take advantage of this time to reflect on the greater purposes of Life and discover a universal sense of direction.
Enjoy the remaining days of fleeting summer!
b’Shalom,
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