Partners or Warriors?
Rosh Ha Shanah Morning 5766
Rabbi Joseph R. Black
Congregation Albert -
Albuquerque, NM
My Dear Friends,
I recently heard a story about an ape that escaped from the Bronx Zoo. They searched for him everywhere, and they announced his disappearance on radio, TV, newspapers, and the Internet. At last, he was discovered, in all places, in the New York City Public Library. Zoo officials were summoned. They found the ape sitting at a desk peering intently at two books open before him. One book was the Bible; the other was The Origin of the Species by Charles Darwin. The zookeepers asked the ape what he was doing. The ape replied, "I'm trying to figure out whether I am my brother's keeper or whether I am my keeper's brother."
If you've watched the news at all lately, you can't help noticing that, all across the country, the issue of so-called "intelligent design" is everywhere. Highly sophisticated, organized groups are lobbying and legislating to mandate changes in the way that science is to be taught in our public schools. There are initiatives and ballots in 26 States that promote the teaching of thinly disguised religious concepts in the classroom - thereby endangering the fragile barrier that exists between church and state. This past August, the Rio Rancho school board passed a policy which allowed for the teaching of "Alternative Theories" of the origin of life in addition to teaching Evolutionary theory. President Bush has joined the fray by stating recently that he approves of the teaching of so-called "Creation Science" as a contrast to Evolution.
A recent survey showed that nearly two thirds of Americans favor the
teaching of Alternative Theories for the origin of life in public schools.
That's an amazing statistic - until you look at it a little more closely and
realize that it doesn't necessarily reflect a sense of fundamentalist belief
but, rather, a sense of "fairness". In other words, American Culture is very
pragmatic and forgiving. Why not let both sides be heard? That way no one will
be left out.
"Teaching of Creationism Is Endorsed in New Survey" by Laurie
Goodstein. August 31, 2005 - NYTimes
It truly is ironic that the Fundamentalist Christian proponents of "Intelligent Design" are being supported by "American Pragmatism" and a sense of "fairness" because, while their tactics may be pragmatic, their ultimate goal has nothing to do with being fair. They believe that they have a divine mandate for their crusade. To paraphrase John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd in their alter-egos - Jake and Elwood Blues: They're on a "mission from God."
So-called "Intelligent Design" is a fairly benign issue, but it is symptomatic of a much larger - and, I believe more dangerous trend in our society. Whether we want to admit it or not, our nation - indeed our world, is embroiled in a conflict that, with each passing year becomes increasingly acrimonious and dangerous. If you follow the coverage of this conflict in the press, it would appear that battle lines are being drawn: with Evolution on one side and Religion on the other. But it is not only in the intersection of Science and Religions that we see this conflict. It plays out in almost every arena in which we find ourselves: from the personal to the political. We see it in inappropriate meddling in school curricula; in attempts to overturn basic freedoms such as the ability of a woman to control her body or how people express their love. We see it in attempts to break down the sacred barrier between Church and State. And, in the most extreme and terrifying examples, we see it in cold blooded murder by those who would use fear to fan their faith.
As a person of faith, I resent the implication that Religion and Culture are on a collision course. Nothing could be further from the truth. And yet there is a dangerous conflict afoot - not between those who are and are not religious - but rather it can be categorized as being between
Another way to frame it is between
The difference between these two philosophies is vitally important. The warriors see themselves as instruments of God's divine plan - they are bringing about God's judgment and paving the way for a new kingdom. The ends justify the means and their actions will be rewarded when the truth is ultimately revealed. Four years ago, on September 11th, here in America, we learned of the catastrophic consequences of such beliefs. In Israel and other parts of the world, this was a lesson that was learned long ago and was centuries in the making.
Those who see ourselves as God's partners are more focused on the gifts that God gives us on a daily basis. We realize that the world and everything in it is entrusted to us by God. As such, we have a vital responsibility to work with our Creator. The decisions we make and the way we treat our fellow humans and, indeed, the environment in which we live, testify to our ability to see the holy in all of God's creation - to reaffirm that we are created B'tzelem Elohim - in the Divine image. It is not our task to force our beliefs on others - but we can, and indeed, must, let our voices be heard and our hands become active - participating in the unfolding process of Tikkun Olam - repairing our all too imperfect world.
We have just finished reading the Akedah, the binding of Isaac. In our text, a father and son walk side by side in the wilderness on a long and lonely journey to an unknown destination. The eerie silence is punctuated only by the boy's innocent questions. "Where are we going Dad?" "Did you forget something for the ceremony?" And the question every parent dreads: "Are we there yet?"
The theme of the Akedah is passion, a deep and intense spirituality. Abraham will stop at nothing to carry out the will of his God.
In Genesis 22: verses 10-12 we read:
10. And Abraham stretched out his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
11. And the angel of God called out to him from heaven, and said, "Abraham, Abraham"; and he said, Hineni - "Here I am."
12. And he said, "Lay not your hand upon the boy, nor do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, seeing that you did not withhold your son, your only son from me."
The Midrash teaches that the reason that the angel called Abraham's name twice was that Abraham was so intent to carry out the will of God that he could not stop. He was intoxicated by his mission. Even when the angel orders the patriarch to stay his hand, the Rabbis have him protest: "You told me to come here to sacrifice my son. Now you tell me not to kill him? Let me at least draw a little blood!" Abraham's fanatic zeal forces the angel to call out: " Lay not your hand upon the boy, nor do anything to him!"
What a chilling interpretation! What if God had chosen not to halt the hideous deed? What if the angel had not made it to the mountain in time? Would Abraham really have murdered his son just to prove his piety and devotion? I hate to say it, but I believe that he would. History is full of stories of men and women who have performed atrocities in what they believed to be the name of God.
Throughout history, outbreaks of excessive religious fervor have destroyed the fabric of societies and left behind a path of resentment, hatred, death and destruction. Last week, Islamic terrorists exploded bombs in restaurants in Bali - killing dozens of innocents and wounding many more. All over the world we are seeing the results of Islamic Fundamentalist Messianists who justify their atrocities in the name of an angry and vengeful God.
As Jews, we have, all too often been the victims of God's warriors. But we are not immune from the disease of extremist rhetoric and action. Over the summer, the entire world held its breath as we watched the drama unfold over the dismantling of the Jewish settlements in Gaza. The decision to leave this small strip of territory in which a handful of Jews lived in relatively luxurious, yet prison-like isolation in the midst of a hostile, overwhelming Palestinian majority was based on expedience, not ideology; on realism not zealotry.
Some of the settlers in Gaza saw themselves as God's warriors. They chose to live in Gaza - despite the danger and the inequity - in order to establish an outpost of Right-wing Zionism in the midst of the enemy. They wanted nothing more than to see the expulsion of all non-Jews from what they believed to be their God-given land. Sharon and his Government realized that a continued Jewish presence in Gaza was untenable. There was no way to defend or justify this settlement activity. And so, after great debate, the decision to disengage was made.
The days and weeks leading up to the disengagement were fraught with anxiety and filled with demonstrations and counter-demonstrations throughout Israel. Those who opposed it draped themselves with the color orange - a symbol of resistance that was a remnant of the anti-communist revolts in the Ukraine. Those who were supporters of disengagement took on the colors of blue and white - the symbol of Zionism and the Jewish State. Some, not all, of the spiritual leaders of the opposition called Ariel Sharon a Nazi - a traitor to the State of Israel and the Jewish people. The level of violent rhetoric was even more extreme, in some cases, than that which preceded the assassination of Yitzchak Rabin ten years ago on November 4th, 1995.
As the day approached, we all held our collective as the Israeli Army did its duty to remove the last resistors from the settlements. The scenes we saw play out on our televisions were painful to watch. To see Jews cursing Jews; to see children torn from the arms of their parents; to see grown men and women sobbing as they were dragged from their homes was gut wrenching. And yet, in the midst of the horror and chaos there was also amazing beauty and holiness.
Miraculously, there was little, if any violence that took place during the removal process. The soldiers who came to evacuate the settlers did not use any weapons. As they dragged the last resistors from their homes they joined together in tearful prayer. What we saw unfold in front of our eyes was a national acknowledgement that, while there were painful divides among the population, ultimately the conflict that played out was L'shem Shamayim - for the sake of heaven.
The day after the disengagement, the streets were empty of orange or blue and white banners. The nation realized that they had to come together after such a trauma. This doesn't mean that the conflict is over - far from it. There are many painful decisions that are yet to be made. But the aftermath of the disengagement showed the world that people can survive - that dialogue and common sense can prevail - even in the face of fierce emotion and religious fervor.
In this light, I am going to ask you to do something when you leave the sanctuary this morning. If you have not already done so, I want to you register to vote as a supporter of ARZA - the American Reform Zionist Association - in the 34th Zionist Congress Elections that are scheduled to take place next summer in Israel. The World Zionist Congress is the supreme institution and legislative body of the International Zionist movement; it is the only body in which all of world Jewry is represented democratically. The Congress, which holds election every four years, determines policy for the WZO, The Jewish Agency for Israel, the Jewish National Fund, and many other affiliate organizations. These influential organizations direct hundreds of millions of dollars towards enhancing Jewish life in Israel and abroad.
As I have said repeatedly from this pulpit - the Reform movement represents an essential voice of tolerance and moderation in the midst of an increasingly polarized world. During the last two elections, the Reform movement - through ARZA - received the majority of American votes. As a result - the voice of tolerance - the voice of those who see themselves - not as God's warriors, but as God's partners - has been strengthened.
As Rabbi David Nelson - associate Director of ARZA - writes:
"In a time when "religion" is often popularly equated with "fundamentalism" and "theocracy," we have a sacred opportunity to demonstrate that religious life can be democratic, and that the individual can make a difference."
As you leave the sanctuary this morning, in addition to taking a shopping bag from TASTY to participate in their annual High Holiday Food Drive, I also want you to take a registration form for the World Zionist Congress elections. You can have an important impact on the future of the Jewish state and the Jewish people.
A story is told of a talented Yeshiva Bocher from a small shtetl in Poland. He was so brilliant that after his ordination, for his first Rabbinic assignment he was given the ultimate honor of serving as the personal assistant to the Chief Rabbi of Warsaw.
His parents were so proud of him. After a few months in Warsaw, his mother and father came to visit him at the Rebbe's house.
"Nu Shleimi," they asked, "What do you do all day?"
"Well," he said, "I wake up a 6 o'clock in the morning and get the Rebbe a glass of tea. I then make him some toast and Jam, and then we pray together. At lunch, I make him a sandwich and another glass of tea. In the evening, I cook him dinner and draw his bath."
"But what do you do the rest of the day?" asked his parents.
"Ahhh - that is the most important part of my job. I sit on the Rebbe's front porch and wait for the Messiah," was Shleimi's reply.
"What kind of job is that?" asked his parents.
"Well," he said, "the truth is, it's not that exciting, but I have excellent job security."
My friends, we have a long way to go before we can greet the Messiah. But we cannot allow ourselves to simply sit and wait for this to happen. If we truly are God's partners, then we must work together to allow the voices of tolerance and hope to prevail in the struggle against fundamentalism and xenophobia. This is our sacred task on this Rosh Hashanah.
Ken Yehi Ratzon - may it be God's will.
AMEN