It’s Who We Are - Lech Lecha
Tomorrow, in synagogue’s the world over, we’ll read G‑d’s opening instructions and blessings to a 75 year old individual named Abraham … of whom the Torah tells us absolutely nothing about! Why? Where’s the bio?
Of course, many Jewish sources inform us that Abraham was an incredible man and had accomplished so much by age 75. But in the Torah there’s nothing. Why?
Our Sages teach us that through this omission, G‑d is revealing to us the very essence of what it means to be a Jew. You see, what defines us as Jewish is not what WE do, but the fact that G‑d choose us to do it.
My colleague Rabbi Aaron Moss from Sydney received this email:
Although I was raised in a traditional home, was brissed and barmitzvad (sorry about these spellings) I have never had any faith or "religious" belief. I am now aged 34 and would describe myself as an atheist. I have no wish to be buried in a Jewish cemetery (and my Will will also make this clear) and have married a non-Jew in a civil ceremony.
My question is, can I consider myself officially non-Jewish, by my effective opting-out, or do I need some sort of form or dispensation to be officially no longer Jewish?
Many thanks for your help with what is perhaps an unusual question. - Edward
How would you answer? This was his:
Dear Edward,
I would like to help you, but I feel there's nothing I can do.
According to your question, you have done everything possible to negate your Jewishness: in practice you do not keep Jewish tradition; in belief you are an atheist; in family life you have married a non-Jew and thus won't have Jewish children, and even in death you are determined not to be buried in a Jewish cemetery. One would think that all this would be enough to confirm your un-Jewishness.
But no! For some reason, you are still unsatisfied: you still feel Jewish! So much so, you feel you need official dispensation!
And so, being an atheist, who do you turn to solve this problem? A doctor? A psychiatrist? The civil celebrant that married you? No... You turn to a rabbi!
I'm reminded of the child who ran away from home but ended up just going around and around the block because his parents told him never to cross the road by himself.
I'm sorry, Edward. There is nothing more you can do. You are as Jewish as Moses and the Chief Rabbi of Wales !
In fact, it seems that being Jewish is the most dominant factor of your personality. It is even influencing the place you want to be buried!
Edward, Jewishness is not a belief, a feeling, a conviction or a lifestyle. It is a state of being. We can either celebrate it or fight against it. But it will always be there. So why not celebrate it?
Dear friends, it all began with Abraham … whether we think we deserve it or not, G‑d endowed each of us with our Jewish souls and identity. Let us celebrate our Jewishnees by lovingly embracing it.
Fruma and our children – Malka, Yankele, Shimi, Mendel, Mushka, Riva and Rachmiel – all join me in wishing you a Shabbat Shalom!
