To My Dear
Students,
Passover and Shavuot (celebrated this coming Thursday
evening) are linked. Passover is the anniversary
of our winning freedom from bondage; Shavuot is
the anniversary of our accepting responsibility
through the Torah.
Freedom
and responsility are interwoven. The American
Declaration of Independence did not give
final form to the nation. Only by adopting
the Constitution, which frames responsibilities,
did we become the United States. Freedom
must be joined with obligation, liberty with commandment,
individualism with community.
Liberty
must not become license. Simply because
we are capable of doing something does not mean
we ought to do it. It was a profound moment
when our ancestors were liberated from servitude.
But it was only when we entered into a life of
responsibility under the Torah that the moment
became eternal.
Shabbat
Shalom and Chag Sameach,
Your Rabbi |
