TETZAVEH / SHABBAT ZACHOR 5778
LEADERSHIP AS DESTINY

February 22, 2018
3 Adar 5778

Esther and Mordecai succeed in foiling Haman's evil plot to destroy the thriving Jewish communities of ancient Persia. As leaders of their community they ordain the Festival of Purim as an annual commemoration of this great deliverance. The events leading up to Purim are recorded in the Book of Esther (the Megilla) the unique Biblical book that does not include God's name or make specific reference to Him.

The serious question of individual destiny is captured in Mordecai's sharp response to Esther when she asserts that she dare not approach the king without being specifically summoned. "Do not imagine that you, of all the Jews, will escape with your life by being in the king's palace. On the contrary, if you keep silent this crisis, relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another source. .. While you and your father's house will perish. And who knows perhaps you have attained to Royal position for just such a crisis."(Esther 4:13.14)

Mordecai admonished Esther that leadership is a great honor, but it is accompanied with the awesome responsibility to take risks for the common welfare. Mordecai's admonishment was that destiny placed her on the throne, and it was her destiny to use her position on behalf of her people.

This week's Torah portion contains a detailed description of the priestly garments to be worn by Aaron, the designated Kohen Gadol (High Priest). It included the Ephod (vest) and the precious stones to be placed both on its shoulder straps and upon the Choshen (breast place) that was affixed to it.

Engraved on the shoulder stones were the names of the Twelve Tribes, with six on each side, thereby symbolizing that Aaron and who ever rose to this high office, was mandated to bear the burden of all Israel. As a leader it was his destiny to take responsibility for unifying the entire community. To paraphrase Mordecai, it was for this purpose that he was chosen.

At one time it was accepted the kings ruled by divine right and thus had the absolute power to do as they wished. Much too often they believed it was their destiny to protect their nation by forcibly suppressing dissident voices. All challenges to their authority were to be eliminated. The stones right and left shoulder of the high priest were a reminder to embrace what is essentially the democratic model of leadership.

By whatever process the people choose its leader, his/her destiny is to unify and serve the entire nation. Obviously every population cohort has its own agenda. There are the red states and the blue states with many hues of both red and white. The mission and challenge before the leader is to acknowledge and accept that he/she is to carry on his shoulders the needs and concerns of all. He dare not favor the tribes on his right at the expense of those on the left or vice versa.

Mordecai in his memorable words to Esther insisted that leadership is a matter of destiny. Lincoln in his brief but timeless Gettysburg Address asserted that the United States perceives itself to be a government of the people, by the people, and for the people." Hopefully the one that destiny has placed at the head of our nation will understand and accept the challenge to bear the burdens of those both on his left is and on his right for the sake of all.

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From the holy city of Jerusalem my best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom u'Mevorach, a Shabbat of peace and blessing and a joyous Purim celebration

Rabbi Arnold M. Goodman

*This Shabbat preceding Purim is designate as Shabbat Zachor, the Shabbat of Remembrance. The selection read from the second Torah (Deut 25:17-19) is the command to eternally remember that the Amalekites attacked our ancestors shortly after their liberation from Egypt. Amalek is associated with Purim since Haman is referred to as a descendant of the Amalekite royal family. Purim begins this Wednesday night with the reading of Megillat Ester, the Book of Esther.

TERUMAH 5778
AT THE CENTER OF OUR LIVES

February 15, 2018
2 Adar 5778

The Mishkan (Desert Tabernacle) symbolized God's presence in the midst of the people and was carefully fashioned according to divine specifications. Its centerpiece was the majestic Ark. Its body was made of the finest wood that was both lined and covered with gold. With its 4 feet lengths and height of 27 inches, the Ark was both imposing and awe-inspiring. Sanctity, however, was created when the Children of Israel fulfilled the simple commandment, "And you shall place in the Ark, the Edut (the testimony) that I shall give you." (Exodus 25:16). The Edut were the stone tablets upon which the Ten Commandments were engraved, originally placed in the Holy Ark the Israelites carried through the desert and ultimately transferred to the Holy of Holies in the Temple built by King Solomon.

Our tradition views the command to deposit the Edut in the center of the Ark as a metaphor for a sanctified life. We fashion our lives out of the raw material of our intellectual and physical talents. Whatever its form and however imposing, its sanctity is measured by the presence or absence of the Edut in it's center.

Sadly, there are countless examples of individuals with charisma and high intellect who utilize their talents not to create a better world but rather to corrupt it. Their lives, devoid of the Edut in its center, often lack basic humanitarian impulses. Many of the individuals now outed in today's highly publicized #MeToo campaign, are blessed with many talents and strengths, but the absence of an inner Edut, reinforced their belief that they could do as they wished.

Rather than simply pointing fingers at others, it's incumbent upon each of us to consider what we have placed in the center of our lives. Is there an Edut, and if so, how operative is it? Have we utilized our talents and strengths to fashion lives that are blessing to others and to ourselves?

Thus, in what we may perceive as the boring details of constructing the Mishkan and its Ark, in but one brief verse, the Torah challenges us to build lives with the Edut, the source of morality, in their centers.

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From the holy city of Jerusalem, my best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom u'Mevorach, a Shabbat of peace and blessing.

Rabbi Arnold M. Goodman