Rabbi Rick's February/March 2006 Bulletin Message
MESSAGE FROM THE RABBI
Growing Through Giving
There is potential for great generosity within our community. Our members can volunteer their time and resources in deeply rewarding ways to a variety of projects, each of which can have a deep impact on our congregation. The rewards reverberate throughout the community—to the recipients of the generosity, to the congregation as a whole, and—let us not forget—to the givers themselves. The Torah teaches us in a profound way about the cycle of reward that comes from giving.
At the beginning of March, we will read from Parashat T’rumah, which begins with God’s call to the Israelites to discover their spirit of volunteerism. God instructs Moshe that from each individual “whose heart is willing” shall the Israelites “take My offering” (Ex. 25:2). The offering that God desires is the totality of contributions for the construction of the mishkan, the sacred tabernacle with which the Israelites will travel during their journey through the desert. God’s choice of words in describing the contributions to the building effort may seem strange: Why would we draw attention to taking (God’s offering) when the essence of the commandment seems to be about selfless giving? I believe that part of the message here is that all donating yields personal benefit to the giver. By parting with valued possessions, through the generosity of their hearts, the people will be gaining something as well. Each of us can determine for ourselves what it is that we gain through the act of giving. Is it a feeling of closer connection to those we are helping, a greater feeling of God’s presence through the fulfillment of a mitzvah, or a greater sense of personal accomplishment in the realm of what really matters? The answer is up to us. The key is that each of us has the opportunity to open up our hearts, and the giving that God expects is to come only from those of us who have recognized that openness within us. The first challenge, then, is to determine if we possess a willing heart. Are we going to remain idle on the sidelines, or does our spirit call us to participate actively in a kind of giving that can transform ourselves and the world? The second challenge is to decide how we will give. I would like to mention a couple of opportunities that are, almost literally, in our own backyard.
Around the corner from our synagogue is the Regent, a home for independent and assisted living that houses many Jewish residents. Our congregation has had a relationship with this home in the past, but we have just reestablished the connection with a delightful evening of shared Chanukah celebration. I was overwhelmed and overjoyed with the enthusiasm that the residents expressed at our presence. Many of them spoke about their desire to come to our services and participate with us in other events. I am hopeful that we can get members of our congregation volunteering their time with residents at the home and perhaps also helping to accommodate them into our activities. Respecting and caring for the older members of our community is a priceless mitzvah. In our case, it is incredibly easy to fulfill and to fail to do so would be a shame. All it takes is some compassion and the commitment of some time.
Another small yet worthy act of volunteering comes through caring for our environment, a mitzvah that is particularly memorable as we approach Tu Bi’Shvat, the new year of the trees, which falls on February 13. Our synagogue has a huge recycling receptacle on the west side of the building. We have been become vigilant about getting as much as possible there instead of in the trash, recognizing that reusing our earth’s precious resources—and taking the time to do it right—is a way of giving back to God’s creation. All congregants are invited to make use of this dumpster if they are not already recycling at home. Each “donation” of recyclable products, especially paper, is a celebration of nature. As we approach Tu Bi’Shvat, let us remember what we can do for saving trees. We will also have a ritual opportunity to recommit to this cause through a festive Tu Bi’Shvat seder, following kiddush on Saturday, February 11. Please come and share your love for trees.
In Psalm 92:13-15, the righteous are described as flourishing palm trees that shall still bring forth fruit in old age. May our own righteousness flourish as a result of our inner generosity, and may it spread both to the fruit-bearing trees and to the senior members of our community so that our entire community may blossom.