Dvar Torah - November 6, 2009
“Enough Already!” D’var Torah November 6, 2009
It’s getting ridiculous. Another member of the Jewish community alleged to have embezzled money from companies he was charged to watch over. Again, I’m reminded of Noah – was he a truly good person OR a good person compared to others of his generation? I suppose that’s the “eternal” question. Have we lowered our behavior to reach DOWN to the lowest common denominator?
It’s embarrassing in any case! Have we Jews become so much a part of our society of greed and self-indulgence? So much like everyone else that we are detached from our core values of honesty and integrity that we’ve forgotten who we are and who we represent?!
I understand that times are tough. So many have lost jobs and have had to create new paths to simply earn a living (and I’m talking about the Jewish community too!). The economic situation has left all of us aghast and shocked. Most of us have never seen anything like this before. But do we change the core person who we are to “make a few more bucks” – just to get ahead? For what? What long-term benefit can this have – not on one’s bank account, but on a person’s SOUL?
I know, we just came out of the High Holidays only a month ago. I know, we spent many hours looking inward. I know, we’ve heard it all before.
But I guess some didn’t hear it or don’t live it enough. There are always going to be people who “cross the line.” That’s what our laws are for. But so many, so many of our people, members of synagogues, who contribute to charity – do tzedakah, and who have been or are public “role models” turn out crooked.
I’m tired of it. Tired of reading about another Jewish crook (even alleged) on the front page (maybe in a world without newspapers, I’ll feel better – I doubt it). I worry about anti-Semitism. About those on the fringe who may hate Jews or
I hope so. But, I fear, we’d better get to work – do better – because we don’t know (or do we) what’s around the corner.
Sorry for the rant.
Shabbat Shalom!
MARK