Blog

From the Desk of Rabbi David Lyon
February 25, 2011

I was visiting someone at the hospital, today. A friend of the patient who didn’t know me was sitting nearby. I introduced myself, “Hi, I’m Rabbi Lyon.” “You’re a rabbi?!” he said. “Yes, I am.” He put his hands up as if to block me and remarked, “I don’t believe in God!” Thoughtfully, but correctly I offered, “That’s fine. I’m not here to see you.” The visit with the patient went well and her family whom I know appreciated the time I spent there.

                Funny. When somebody tells me they’re a dentist, I don’t put up my hands and say, “I don’t like floss!” If I’m not sitting in the dentist’s chair there would be no reason for me to protest the dentist’s interest in my teeth and gums. There was also no reason for this person to assume that I wanted to train him for his bar mitzvah under duress. On my way back to Temple, I thought a lot about the incident and decided that it was him, not me.

                In truth, nobody wants a run-in with someone we differ with or with whom we’re uncomfortable. I understand that it’s not always easy to know what to talk about with a rabbi; but, why assume that the conversation should always be about Torah? Likewise, while some of my favorite people are dentists (even if I don’t enjoy being in their chairs), I prefer to ask them about their golf game and their family, rather than their drills and sample toothbrushes.

                The point is that Judaism makes less demands on us about God than we think, and more demands on us about our deeds. I can’t speak for other faiths. If we actually thought more about God in Judaism, we’d have to open the back walls of our congregations and set up the extra chairs. The truth is that we don’t, because deeds, not rituals, have long been the most significant means by which we have fulfilled our covenant. They are the obvious measure of who we are as human beings. I can’t know what’s in you heart; I can only know what’s in your hands to do. That’s why I want to tell you about two important events coming up in the future.

Israel Advocacy. March 24^th, Thursday, 7:30pm, at Beth Israel, we will hold our first Israel Advocacy meeting. All are welcome. We’ll share our vision and organize our goals. We’ll tell you about current plans and about AIPAC Policy Conference, May 22-24, in Washington D.C. I want you to join me for both our Israel Advocacy meeting and for AIPAC in Washington.

Travel to Savannah, Georgia. June 1-5, 2011, the American Jewish Archives of Hebrew Union College, Cincinnati, will lead an excellent trip with outstanding speakers and experiences to this historic Jewish city. The brochure is available at www.americanjewisharchives.org(I will not be attending this trip).

                These events are all about deeds that bring us together through the work of our hearts, minds and hands. Did I say anything about God? I didn’t have to; it’s implied that our best efforts come through our meaningful relationship to the divine. It doesn’t diminish us or our scientific understanding of the world; rather, it helps us appreciate more deeply how remarkable we can be when we are guided by a heritage of good works that have come down to us. And, then, it’s often been my observation that good deeds lead us to give thanks for what we accomplished with our hands for the sake of others. And, when we’re done, to whom do we give thanks for our strength and achievements? I thought you’d say that.

                I look forward to seeing you soon, and especially on March 24^th, and in Washington, on May 22^nd. From my family to yours, Shabbat Shalom.