There is an old joke about a person who complains, “I don’t believe in organized religion,” to which his spiritual leader replies, “Then join us! You’ll soon discover that we’re not very organized!” In every joke there is some truth, but it’s also true that Judaism has long been an organized and democratic tradition. I’ve written about this before, and pointed to sources in Exodus (18:13ff), where Moses structures the community to respond to all sorts of needs as proof that Judaism depends on hierarchy only to accomplish sacred tasks. And, in Deuteronomy (30:11ff), we learn that Torah is not “too baffling…nor is it beyond reach,” that someone must go and “get it for us and impart it to us,” rather, “[Torah] is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to observe it.”
Now, in our Torah portion this week, B’ha’alotecha, Numbers 11:16ff, Moses pleads with God for help to support the growing needs of the multitude of people who are with him in the wilderness. God tells Moses to gather seventy elders of Israel, who will be given some of Moses’ authority and help to serve the people’s needs. Torah records that there were also two men, Eldad and Medad, who remained close by and received some of Moses’ authority, yet they were not among the seventy elders. Alarmed by the violation, a youth ran out and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are acting like prophets in the camp!” Moses replied, “Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord put His spirit on them!”
Again, Moses demonstrated that he didn’t seek any special authority, nor did he desire a hierarchical structure that would disable anyone in the camp from assuming a leadership role. Like all Hebrew prophets, Moses was always portrayed as a reluctant prophet even if he was a remarkable leader. In this Torah portion, Eldad and Medad represented all men (and women) who sought to participate in the completion of God’s commandments and were welcome to do so.
True enough, there are men and women who, by virtue of talent or gifts, are identified as ideal leaders for special tasks or roles. Yet, there are also men and women who by virtue of their passion and devotion demonstrate their ability to serve in important roles. In the Jewish community, there is no organizational structure that isolates individuals from participation in Jewish life. Everybody can find a task to do and a place to do it in the Jewish community. The story of Eldad and Medad makes it clear that no one is exempt from service to God, or the duty to perform mitzvot; that is, no one except those who exempt themselves. Even for them, we hold a place open.
Too organized? Too big? It might be the problem in some congregations, but at Beth Israel, we’re organized so that you can participate in all parts of Temple life, including a project, a committee, or a special event. And, we’re big enough to make room for everyone who wants to join us in worship, study, and as friends in our congregational community. The only question we must ask is the one we’ve inherited since the time of Moses: Who by virtue of talent and gifts is a leader enough to work among us to accomplish the tasks at hand? And, who by virtue of passion and devotion is ready to step up and participate in our congregational community? Would that God’s spirit be upon us all!
From my desk to yours, Shabbat Shalom.