From Rabbi Mordecai Miller
June 4, 2010 |
22 Sivan 5770 |
How honest are we capable of being with ourselves? Not a simple question - to put it mildly? We have a general idea of what honesty or truth is but when it comes to applying such a concept specifically, why that's another story! We are limited by physics, you can't see all six sides of an opaque cube at one time. We are limited by our perspective. Even if you can see all six sides of a transparent cube you can only see them from one angle at a time. We are limited by our own physical make-up. How good is our eye-sight and the rest of our five senses? We are limited by our intelligence, our culture, our education. We are certainly limited by our emotional make-up, our strength of character or worse, the lack of it!
At the same time, so much of achieving any lasting happiness is directly proportional to the degree that we are capable of knowing - and facing up to - the truth about ourselves! How else can one go about addressing those areas of one's personal life that are a cause of misery due to bad judgment?
Yet, despite all these challenges, and more, all is not futile! The fact is we really do have a great ally! Experience! Life certainly gives us the opportunity to learn from our own mistakes, and if we aren't stubborn, even from the mistakes of others! So it is possible for us to achieve something bordering on happiness even in our own lifetime.
You could say that this week's parsha "Shlach l'cha" begins and ends with the issue of honest judgment. (I want to acknowledge and thank Rabbi Josef Davidson from Congregation Bnai Amoona for being my source of inspiration. He offered the D'var Torah at last Tuesday's meeting of the St. Louis Rabbinical Association and pointed out the use of the word "laTur - to seek out; to tour (!); to explore" at the beginning and end of this week's par'sha.)
I hope to use this coming Shabbat morning as an opportunity to "explore" to some extent what the Torah is trying to convey to us in this "double message!"
We note with much sadness the passing of Erika Goldburg, wife of Rabbi Jay Goldburg, former Chaplain for many years at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Erika was a highly-cultured person; engaging, intelligent, warm and outgoing. It was always a joy to be able to have a conversation with her. She was forced to battle for her health during these past few years. Our hearts go out to Rabbi Goldburg on his loss. May he find strength and consolation in the support he receives from his friends, just as he gave so many of us the support we needed at times of personal crisis.
This Shabbat morning in the Allen Sanctuary, we will celebrate the Ufruf of Marvin Foster and Niki Nymark who will be wed this coming Sunday morning. Marvin and his late wife Sonny, zichra liv'rachah, have been members of BSKI for many years. They were blessed with three lovely daughters: Robyn Rossen, Gail Guyer and Helene Platke. He is a retired accountant and for many years engaged in his private practice alongside his wife. About ten years ago Sonny tragically passed away due to cancer. Niki has been a friend of the family for many years. She has served as a social worker and is also a talented writer. She, too, is blessed with adult children: Maggie, Jane, Jimmy and Danny Fendelman. I'm truly delighted to see this lovely couple make a commitment to devote their lives to one another.
Congratulations to this year's Solomon Schechter Day School Graduates and their parents:
Ari Ginsparg - son of Lori and Dan Ginsparg;
Paul and Jordan Kodner - sons of Gail Brody and BSKI President, Rick Kodner;
and David Selis - son of Lisa Peckler and Schechter Head of School, Allen Selis.
All the families were honored this past Thursday evening during Schechter's Graduation.
Finally, this coming Shabbat morning, we plan to "debut" our Men's Quartet, The Meshorerim (Howard Granok, Jay O'Brien, Fred Blumenthal and myself). In the course of services we hope to share five pieces: Ki Mitziyon, Eitz Chayim; Yism'chu; a new tune for Eyn Keloheynu and an Adon Olam composed by Salamano dei Rossi who lived at the same time as the Baroque composer, Monteverdi. We hope you can attend and enjoy this additional dimension to our services.
May this Shabbat be a time to experience harmony, joy and wholeness.
Shabbat Shalom,