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FROM THE DESK OF RABBI JOSHUA COHEN
Judaism is a journey—there are forks in the road, paths not taken, there are peaks and valleys. We often seem lost on the road looking for a compass to point us in the right direction. We all know our starting points, but the end point, if there is one, seems so distant that we cannot envision how, if ever, we will get there.
Over the course of the next few weeks I will be offering a workshop for our congregation where we will look at faith journeys. We will ask the question of how each of us got to where we are today and what path we took to get here. We will look to the past to better understand what shaped each of us and what influences we continue to lean on today. We will look ahead and establish goals and dreams. Each of us will also have an opportunity to address where we are today and what the measuring sticks are that we use to maintain balance and find meaning in our Judaism.
Unlike other classes I have taught here there will be no text lessons taught by me. The lessons will be learned from those in the room speaking. This means each of you will be both the teacher and the student. We shy away from speaking about our life’s experiences and what brings us closer to God and how we embrace that which we all hold dear. Many struggle to find meaning and understanding, often thinking they are alone in having this inner turmoil. This undertaking of discussing with others is neither simple nor easy. It requires thought and preparation. Most importantly it requires trust on the part of all those in the room.
My hope is that people will learn from one another. The Torah teaches us that on Passover we are required to teach our children when they come and ask us a question: Vehayah ki-yish'alcha vincha machar lemor mah-zot—“And it shall be that when your child comes and asks you…” (Shmot 13:14). We are ready to answer our children, to respond to their needs in an attempt to solve what for them are the mysteries of the world. Yet for ourselves we often do not act, do not probe, and doubt our ability to learn something new from one another. The point the Torah makes about Pesach is that we learn from asking questions. The Torah teaches us that we can learn from our history and that we must relay those lessons to generations to come.
I am often asked why I chose to become a rabbi and people are quick to assume that I made this decision because my family was one of rabbis and observant Jews. All I can reveal is that my journey began in the 1950’s and had to do with a football, a Bar Mitzvah, and the basement of a shul. The basement of the shul was actually twenty years later (and had nothing to do with the Bar Mitzvah). Instead of explaining here (and having everything taken out of context) just come to the class to hear about it.
With the end of Pesach we turn our attention to Shavuot and the giving of God’s Torah to the B’nai Yisrael. This is not simply an historical moment, but one that we can all share in each year. We count down (actually up) from Pesach to Shavuot with the counting of the Omer as a way of reminding ourselves to be in a better mindset to receive and grasp God’s commandments. This is the central focus of the faith journey. Our discussions with each other will allow each of us to better relate to God’s Torah and our heritage. Judaism is about rituals and traditions and an attempt to attain a stronger and closer relationship with God, our creator and maker. We cannot achieve this bond with God unless we reflect and discuss those things that are important and that matter to each of us.
We will listen to one another and we will learn. My hope is that each of us will be touched and will touch and influence others. Each of our journeys through our Judaism has funny stories and sad moments. Each of us has been touched and impacted by many others. Let us all hear their names and remember them through story.
Class meets on Tuesdays from 7:45PM through 9:00PM
B'Shalom
Rabbi Joshua Cohen
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