D'var Torah - July 9, 2010
Geneology – how do you know who you are?
I met an old Beth Or member at the Yard Sale. It turns out that we are related – through his wife – and after checking to be sure, we are mishpocheh! Living here in Miami but having no “roots” as in hometown roots, coming across someone who is not only a lansman but a relative “from the old country” so to speak, is special.
Whjen you move somewhere new, no one knows who you are. They don’t know your family; they don’t know your parents, grandparetns, community, synagogue or schools. Where you were from is a “foreign land” unless you lived there for a stint for work, or went to school there for college, you are unfamiliar with landmarks, restaurant favorites and fjood specialties. The newcomer has to learn from “aleph” what to do, where to go, etc.
Maybe that’s why there is so much lineage presented in the Torah. The Torah is saying that it’s important to know where you came from. It’s necessary to know your heritage – and therefore the hgeritage of our ancestors – because you carry this with you wherever you go. The rabbis speak of “yichus” – relations or connections. “He or she has yichus,” that’s why she got into this or that school, was introduced to this or that person for a job interview.
Each of us has “yichus.” Of course we’re related to Abraham and Sarah – our biblical parents. But we’rel also related to the folks that fill our history (or theology) in the bible. We carry with us a great treasure – our tradition. And we can and should feel the pride of this knowledge, the customjs and the traditions. All of this makes us who we are. All of this enables us to pass on these traditions (the central purpose of Passover!) to our children, their generation,, and those who follow.
We are all related – “I remember you from Sinai!” I’ve heard people say. Of course with tongue in cheek, but in a way real. Take some time this summer to feel the pride. To reconnect with something in your Jewish past. R
Have a great summer!
Shabbaat Shalom!