Demagogues

Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

 

July 1-2, 2022 / 3 Tammuz 5782

Shabbat Korah

Torah: Numbers 16:1 - 18:32  /  Haftarah: I Samuel 11:14 - 12:22

 

“Demagogues”

 

Dear Friends,

 

Was Moses amongst the dictators?  Afterall, Moses wasn’t elected by the people.  He ruled by decree and commanded allegiance to God’s pronouncements. What does Judaism teach about demagogues and authoritarian leaders?  In this week’s Torah portion, Korach leads a rebellion against Moses and Aaron’s leadership.  Korach claimed that leadership did not rest only with the brothers, but with the people.  Everyone was holy, according to Korach.

 

Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan taught, “The demagogue compounds the fears and the baser passions of the people. The selfless leader compounds their hopes and generous impulses.” While Korach professed some lofty concepts, his true aim was to stir up the fear and anger of the people and seize power for himself.  Many decades ago, Kaplan taught, “Beware of people who combine massive intellectual ignorance with brilliant powers of salesmanship.”

 

We need leaders in the world.  Follow Moses’ example and lead with compassion, justice, and selfless concern for all.

 

Zye a Mentsch – Be a Good Person.

 

Shabbat Shalom,

 

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

The Nerve

Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

 

June 24-25, 2022 / 26 Sivan 5782

Shabbat Shelach Lecha

Torah: Numbers 13:1 - 15:41 / Haftarah: Joshua 2:1 - 24

 

“The Nerve”

 

Dear Friends,

 

The Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz lacked courage.  He didn’t have the nerve.  So, it was with our ancestors traveling in the desert. Many know how close Egypt is to the Land of Israel and wonder why it took 40 years of wandering to get there.  In this week’s torah portion we learn that the Children of Israel arrived at Israel’s border in two years. Unfortunately, when it came to entering the Land and claiming their place in it, they lacked the nerve.  There were other peoples living there and the Israelites did not have the confidence to succeed in their conquest. Thus, they were sent back out into the desert for an additional 38 years so that a new generation, born in freedom, would merit entering the Land.

 

Theodore Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism taught us the saying, “If you will it, it is not a dream.” Thus, like the Israelites, when we think that we cannot do something, then we will not be able to accomplish it.  Likewise, when we believe in our ability to achieve a great goal, our thoughts about ourselves will lead us to greater successes.  The Torah wants us to believe in ourselves and to dream big.  We are a tradition of visionaries and change agents. 

 

Zye a Mentsch – Be a Good Person.

 

Shabbat Shalom,

 

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

Humility

Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

 

June 17-18, 2022 / 19 Sivan 5782

Shabbat Beha’alotecha

Torah: Numbers 8:1 - 12:16 / Haftarah: Zechariah 2:14 - 4:7

 

“Humility”

 

Dear Friends,

 

Jews have a reputation of being loud and brash. We are a proud people for sure.  Yet, the Torah tells us that one of the greatest qualities to possess is humility.  This week’s Torah portion describes Moses as “a very humble man, more than any other man on earth.”  Think of it. He grew up in the lap of luxury as a son of Pharaoh. Yet, he gave it all up for his people.  He fled to the desert to be a shepherd and there he encountered the burning bush. Moses tried to turn down God’s call, saying that he was not worthy for the job.  Through it all, Moses became the quintessential role model of our Jewish tradition.

 

Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan taught that “The sum of all teaching is that the essence of all knowledge is the awareness of our ignorance.” A truly wise person is a humble person - one who freely admits that he doesn’t know everything. Wisdom begins with yirat shamayim – being in awe of God.  Starting with humility, we can grow and become a compassionate and understanding members of our community. Continuing with humility, we can become leaders that others will follow.

 

Zye a mentsch – be a good person.

 

Shabbat Shalom,

 

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

May God Bless You and Keep You

Shabbat Shalom from Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

 

June 10-11, 2022 / 12 Sivan 5782

Shabbat Naso

Torah: Numbers 4:21 - 7:89 / Haftarah: Judges 13:2 - 25

 

“May God Bless You and Keep You”

 

Dear Friends,

 

What does it mean to bless each other?  In this week’s Torah portion, we learn of the Priestly Blessing which Aaron and his sons, the Kohanim, were to bestow upon the Children of Israel. It is one of the most famous sections of the Torah tradition:

May the Eternal One bless you and keep you.

May the face of the Eternal One be lit up before you and be gracious to you.

May the face of the Eternal One be lifted up before you and grant you peace.

 

For some, saying this blessing allows those who are kohanim, or descendants of Aaron, to be a channel for bringing God’s blessing to the Jewish community. Reconstructionist Jews often join as a congregation to bestow this blessing upon each other.  For us, saying this blessing enables us to partner with God in bringing blessing to each other and the whole world.

 

Zye a Mentsch – Be a Good Person.

 

L’Shalom (In Peace),

 

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow