Dear Friends,
No, I did not win the jackpot in a Powerball drawing even though I did give God the opportunity to let me win by buying a ticket. I did not have the winning combination on that one…But, I do feel lucky to be part of the family of Rodef Sholom Temple!
What draws people to join us?
Rashi, the classical Biblical commentator (b. 1040 – d. 1105) , asked himself a similar question in relation to Yitro (Jethro), Moses’ father in law, the Priest of Midian, who heard what God had done for the Jewish people, left his home, and joined Moses and the Israelites in the desert. What drew Yitro to our people?
Rashi’s answer was: Yitro heard about the miracle of the parting of the Red Sea and about the successful defensive war against Amalek.
It was the powerful combination of an amazing miracle and of the coming together of the people in action, in a successful defensive war, to protect the weak and the marginal folks who were being targeted by Amalek that drew Yitro to our people.
Today, what draws people to join us?
For some, it is still the winning combination of a sense of miracle intertwined with a pattern of action that guides our lives as individuals and as a people.
I would be happy to hear from you: What draws you to Jewish living and to Rodef Sholom Temple? It might be one thing, or it might be a winning combination of things…Let me know!
