A Light Unto the Nations - the Valedictorian
“From all my teachers I have gained wisdom, but from my students (I have gained) more than all of them.” (Talmud Ta’anit 7a)
As a Rabbi, it is my duty and privilege to teach and inspire others. But, as our Sages so wisely point out, many times it is me – the teacher – who gleans far more inspiration than I can possibly give.
So please allow me to share one such story; a story of a student who motivated and taught me what being proud and committed to Judaism means.
Four years ago the Fine family - from Vacaville - joined our community and became a part of our 'Chabad family'. They joined us for every Shabbat and holiday and slowly began incorporating more and more of the beauties of Judaism into their lives.
This year, their youngest daughter, Carolyn, graduated from Vacaville High School as the Valedictorian of her 450-student class. Could there be a greater moment for this young adult? She would be honored with addressing her fellow classmates in front of 7000+ crowd.
But there was one slight problem. The graduation was set to take place on June 9th at 7pm (that was yesterday) which coincided with the second day of the festival of Shavuot (which concluded at approx. 9:15pm). By Jewish law, during this holiday we refrain from engaging in any creative activities. This includes speaking into a microphone.
And so Carolyn was faced with the biggest dilemma of her life. She could deliver her speech yet dishonor the holiday, or miss the opportunity of a lifetime and remain loyal to her faith. The height of recognition for her academic achievement or her commitment to her Judaism – which one would it be? Seeing Carolyn’s sincere resolve to remain committed Judaism, the principle asked if prerecording the speech would be an option. And so it was.
Yesterday, for the first time in Vacaville, the valedictorian did not deliver her address directly. She celebrated the two-day holiday with her family at a hotel within walking distance of the school. She walked to her graduation, stood a few feet away from the podium, and listened to herself address the assembled. What a moment of truth.
For me Carolyn’s story is very powerful and poignant. In the modern whirlwind of corruption and subjective truths, the world so badly wants to embrace a People that remain committed to values and truths that are immutable. The world treasures and respects truly principled people. And as such we, the Jewish People, become "a light unto the nations", not by compromising our traditions and modifying them to suite our conveniences, but by holding steadfast to a lifestyle that has not, cannot, and will not change – not even for a valedictorian on Shavuot.
Carolyn received dozens of complimentary emails from Jews and non-Jews alike; all of them expressing admiration and applauding her decision. When the media got word of the story, it began to spread like wildfire. Local newspapers and television stations, Yahoo News, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA), and Jewish papers around the country all began to run Carolyn’s story.
Here is a link to one news story, if you’d like to read it yourself:
http://www.thereporter.com/ci_18214655
I share this with you because I was inspired from her strength and I hope you are as well. I hope we channel that inspiration and translate it into some concrete mitzvah that will elevate us and the world around us.
Shabbat Shalom,
