The Election of 2008

Sermon – The Election of 2008 - 11/7/08

Rabbi Mark S. Kram Temple Beth Or, Miami

I made myself a promise that I wouldn’t do it – that is, speak about politics from the pulpit.  After all there certainly has been enough – rather – WAY TOO MUCH for the past 2 years on the air, TV, everywhere we go.  Almost as if it has been the only story!

Rarely have I spoken about politics from the pulpit.  I remember once I did on campus (26 years ago?) when Israel had invaded Lebanon and entered Beirut.  You remember, Sabra & Shatila.  Israel was blamed for the Christian Palestinians having access to enter the camps and murder Moslems.  After I spoke, my cantor decided to speak off the cuff for the other point of view.  In the end, there was an “equal” airing of the issues.  A balanced presentation.  Good learning, but I question today, was it the right forum?

Since then, and certainly not since I’ve been here at Beth Or, I long ago decided that people come to services to learn, be spiritually uplifted, to be with their community, and mainly to reconnect with their Judaism – NOT to hear about politics.  You told me: you want “pearls” which you carry with you during the week.

So tonight I will touch on it, but not in a political way.  This week – how could we not reflect upon a Sea Change election which broke the color barrier, lifted the spirits of our country and in a landslide, propelled us optimistically forward into the future?!  What Jewish message did this week bring?

When politics touches upon matters which transcend public life – (doesn’t all of it?!) – taking care of the poor, feeding, clothing or sheltering the homeless, educating our children and providing health care needs for us all – well, that overlaps on the central Jewish agenda of Tikkun Olam – repairing a broken, incomplete world.

So tonight, rather than just celebrating the Obama election AND the end of this interminable campaign!  What does Judaism teach us about community?  What is our role now that our country is headed in a new direction?

TBO is a place of doing.  So this conversation is not foreign to you.  I know that our major goal this year is to grow, strengthen ourselves, welcome new members in and old members back.  Build THIS community.  And take care of everyone who is a part of our family.  I know.  Judaism teaches that we do our best works – mitzvot – in the context of community, with others, not simply alone.

Two-thousand years ago, Rabbi Hillel taught: “al tifros min hatzibur – don’t separate yourself from the community.”  In Hillel’s view, separation & disunity serve to break down a kehillah, a community, rather than build it up.  So this week we did – we voted in record numbers.  We also look to our leaders for not only their political savvy, but also their moral leadership.  Do they favor one group over another?  Do they inspire all to greater good?  Do they emulate leadership qualities that cross boundaries of skin color, ethnicity, class, education and ability?  This is the leadership we sought.

Rabbi Hillel lived in Jerusalem during the time of King Herod, from approximately 110 BCE to 10 CE.  In the Midrash the periods of Hillel's life are made parallel to those in the life of Moses. Both lived 120 years; at the age of forty Hillel went to the Land of Israel; forty years he spent in study; and the last third of his life he was the spiritual head of the Jewish people.

He is popularly known as the author of two sayings: “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, what am 'I'? And if not now, when?”  And the expression of the ethic of reciprocity, or "Golden Rule": “That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the whole Torah; the rest is the explanation/or commentary; go and learn.”

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch said: It is not to the individual, but to the community that God entrusted His Torah as an inheritance for all the generations to come. For this reason every individual is duty bound to join forces with his community in thought, in word and in deed and share in its tasks and obligations.  We do this TOGETHER!  It is essential that the individual be part of a larger community.  For whatever she may be able to do on her own is inadequate and short-lived; it is only in conjunction with the achievements of others that her own actions can have importance.

You and I are not meant to live isolated within our own community. We each have something to offer and most probably no matter if it is with ones' spouse or ones' shul, with organizations that do good in the community, or [the minyan] down the block, "it is only in conjunction with the achievements of others that our own actions can have importance."

Someone wrote that separating yourself from the community removes communal influence and communal pressures from our lives.  That might FEEL GOOD, but makes us alone in so many ways.  Some feel after they have worked on themselves that the community has nothing to teach them. They trust that the community may no longer contribute to their growth.

·       Don't be fooled, says Hillel, you will need others to keep you from falling, so, don't trust that you can do this life on your own.

·       Similarly, understand that within a community you must be able to communicate with each and every member. Do not belittle another by saying that this is something that she could never understand, for isolating her is tantamount to separating yourself from the community.

·       Also, judging someone instead of first empathizing with him places a barrier between you and that person. This, too, is separating yourself from your community.

·       Finally, don't trust that you will have time to study if you do not make it a priority. Study is meant to be done with a friend. This is the final ingredient for connecting with the community. Communicating through Torah study with a friend is the antithesis of separation, particularly when the intent is a desire to communicate, learn and grow.

[NYT editorial 11/5/08]: “In his convention speech in Denver, Mr. Obama said, “Government cannot solve all our problems, but what it should do is that which we cannot do for ourselves: [and that is] protect us from harm and provide every child a decent education; keep our water clean and our toys safe; invest in new schools and new roads and new science and technology.”   And that’s exactly the point.  Government should do that which we cannot do for ourselves.  Government can, in its best form, assist in providing for individuals within the community.

This week, the country felt as a community.  Americans coming together to vote for a future.  As I sat waiting to have my chance to vote on Tuesday morning at 5:30 in the morning at Shirley’s polling place (and mine), I was once again moved by the crowds gathering to vote.  There’s something fundamentally American – regardless of party affiliation or preference, race, gender, age, etc.- about voting.  I love it.  It is at those times when I feel particualrly proud of my country and close to fellow citizens – most of whom I’ve never personally met.  But there, as the sun was rising, and Shirley was distributing coffee, brownies and banana bread, conversations picked up and we got to know Americans – our neighbors.  Felt the excitement of the day.  Shared smiles. 

We all are part of a greater whole.  New members, new friends – so enjoy this community.  Become a part of it (takes about 30 seconds here!).  We are so glad you’re here!

A STORY:  No one can fill your shoes  DR. JERRY HOPKINS

Once upon a time there was a king who was to be married. In preparation for the wedding day a huge barrel was placed in the city square and each of his subjects was to contribute a cup of wine to be served at the wedding feast. Over the intervening days his many subjects contributed to the barrel their wine. When the wedding day arrived and all had gathered, the first drink was drawn from the wine barrel. Much to the dismay of all, it contained only water. Every citizen had had the same idea.  They thought that since everyone else would be adding wine into the barrel, that their own addition of one cup of water would hardly be noticed.  In the end, all of the citizens thought the same way.  And instead of wine for the kings wedding, there was only water…

Each of us needs to take an active part to complete our community.  Each of our gifts of time at Beth Or or wine for the barrel – counts!  We are more as a community.

So friends, as Rabbi Hillel said - : “al tifros min hatzibur – don’t separate yourself from the community” – don’t separate yourself from OUR community.  Join in, celebrate together, learn together and be together. 

Kein Yihi Ratzon – so may this be God’s will.   AMEN!