2 Elul 5780 - August 22, 2020
I AM JEWISH: UH CONGREGANT, AGE 71
One of my earliest memories of being Jewish and why it's
important to me takes me back to being in 3rd grade at United Hebrew Religious
School when our entire class went to see The Ten Commandments at the Fox
Theater. (Yes the Fox was a movie theater until 1978)
I can still remember today the scene when Moses (played by
Charlton Heston) went up to Mount Sinai where G-d gave him the Ten Commandments
to deliver to the Jewish people which were intended to be the basis of our
moral and spiritual faith for those who chose to follow them.
To me, being Jewish is capsulized in the Ten Commandments
which remind me even today on how I try to lead my life and on the type of
person I strive to be.
I know this movie is over 60 years old, and I'm not sure if
it has ever been redone, but regardless, I know the impact it has had on my
Jewish life and believe it could still have that same impact on every Religious
School student who sees it today.
It is tradition to read Psalm 27 every day during Elul.
PSALM 27
God is my light and my refuge secure - whom shall I fear?
God is the stronghold of my life - of whom should I be afraid?
When those who act with malice would devour me with words,
it is they who stumble, they who fall.
If an army were to take up arms against me, my heart would not fear.
If war were waged against me, still I would trust.
Just one thing I have asked of God; only this do I seek:
to dwell in God’s house all the days of my life,
to behold divine sweetness and beauty, and to gaze in delight at God’s Temple.
God shelters me in times of hardship, shields me in a tent of divine protection,
raises me high on a rock - so that now my head rises above enemies around me.
Let me make offerings in that tent - the offerings of a joyful cry.
Let me sing hymns, and celebrate the One who is eternal - Adonai.
Hear my voice when I call; God, answer me with grace.
My heart spoke for you - it said, “Seek My face.” Your face, Adonai, I will seek.
Do not hide your face from me, nor angrily turn away Your faithful one -
the one You have sustained. My God-of-rescue, do not desert me!
When my father and mother have gone, God will gather me in.
Teach me your way, Adonai; and guide me on a straight path,
because of those who lie in wait for me.
Do not hand me over to the will of foes who rose against me -
lying witnesses and those whose very breath is violence.
If only I could believe that I will see God’s goodness
in the land of the living. . .
Wait for Adonai
Be strong of heart, and be bold -- but wait for Adonai.
Comments
Post a Comment