RABBI MILLER’S BLOG JANUARY, 2010
I hear it said that the forty or so students who attend my Shabbat morning Torah Class represent a strong showing, that we should be proud to see so many adults who are eager and regular attendees for learning.
As I surveyed the room on a recent Shabbat, I did not share that assessment—and I said so. From a congregation that boasts many hundreds of adults, two-score students is a pitiful percentage. The multitude of absentees mocks at least the first part of our Temple’s creedal couplet: “Strength of Tradition, Warmth of Community.”
Think of what it would mean for you to say to your children: “I/We are going out this morning to the Rabbi’s Torah class. It is Shabbat and this is what Jewish people have done for thousands of years. I/We think it is important to study the Torah with our Rabbi and we will be back home in a couple of hours. Shabbat Shalom.”
Could anything be a greater, more positive statement to your children? Could anything make a greater impression? They will remember for a lifetime that you associated being a Jewish adult with learning the great messages of our heritage, that Judaism is not just preparation for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, but is a lifelong pursuit of wisdom, truth, and knowledge!
Being with our children on Saturday morning is important to their development. But being away from our children on Shabbat morning can be even more important to their growth.
We can say to our children that Judaism is important, but if we do not affirm it in our decisions they will know that we do not back up our words with deeds. Yes, the key word is “decisions.” You decide week in and week out to attend or to not attend Torah study. It is your choice. It is your example that you are setting.
I read this BLOG to the Torah class and invited their responses. Several people said that too many attendees would threaten the intimacy of the class. I countered that I did not foresee members flocking to Saturday morning Torah Study, despite my request. I concluded by saying that we will evaluate at the end of January whether our membership has responded to this BLOG and its invitation.
It should be interesting!
Faithfully,
Rabbi Miller
I was thinking about responding to your invitation, but so far in January you haven’t conducted any Torah Classes. How can we evaluate at the end of January?
I agree with you about showing an example to our children, who learn what is important from watching where their parents place value. I say nothing to parents of grown ups who moan about the lack of Jewish interest in their children, but I think that they have only themselves to blame because they did not stress Jewish living when their kids were small. We must let the parents of small children know the importance of their children seeing them do Jewish things without them, in addition to doing things with their children.
2nd point about Torah study: we should attend Torah study every Shabbat even if the leader is not Rabbi Miller. Torah study should not depend upon
a particular leader. All leaders give us something to learn.
3rd point: there is a huge lack of Torah study among the Jewish community at large because Jews do not see value in doing so. Thomas Edison said: There is a better way to do it, find it.
Rabbi,
Last week my daughter attended Torah Class with me. Today is her 12th birthday, and she’s entering the year count down to her Bat Mitzvah. When we asked her what she wanted to do today, she replied that she wanted to start the day by going to Torah Class!
Shabbat Shalom!
Those who don’t attend Torah study don’t know what they are missing. We learn so much Torah and how it applies to our lives today. Rabbi Miller ties it all together to make it so very meaningfull and up to date. I feel it is a special time of the week and I am blessed to be able to attend. Thank you to our very special teacher.
Rabbi Miller-When you’re right, you’re right! I find that the truth, although a hard pill to swallow at times, allows us to grow and become better people and better Jews. A week without Torah study is like a day without sunshine! And, I will not miss Shavout again!