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To
My Dear Students,
Last
Friday night, I attended Shabbat Services at the
Reform congregation of Charleston, South Carolina.
Founded in 1749, it is the oldest Synagogue in
continuous use in the United States.
It is the founding Reform Jewish congregation
in America and it is designated a national historic
landmark.
The
name of the Synagogue is Kahal Kadosh Beth
Elokim, the Holy Congregation of the House
of G-d. During the evening's worship, I
considered the meaning of the Synagogue's designation:
Kahal Kadosh, the Holy Congregation.
What
is holiness? Must you take special vows
or wear unique clothing to be holy? No,
Judaism teaches that holiness is meant for everyone
and at all times. It does not require a
special regimen, it is not performed on remote
mountain tops, and it is not realized through
excessive fasting.
Holiness
is how we relate to our neighbors, how we accept
responsibility for what we do, how we treat our
families, how we deal in business; how we try
to be better human beings; how we serve, love,
and give. Holiness battles injustice, heals
what is broken, hopes for the best, seeks good,
and shuns evil. Holiness is affirmed when
we tell the truth even though it is more convenient
to lie, and when we are honest when it is more
tempting to cheat. Holiness is what we do
here and now, with those around us and even when
we are alone.
I
suggest that the uppermost question should be:
"What can I do, what should I do, what must
I do, in this specific situation that will be
holy, so that it will be the right thing, the
good thing, the proper thing, the responsible
thing?"
In
the answer lies the meaning, the direction, and
the core of our lives.
Shabbat
Shalom,
Your
Rabbi
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