Rabbi Peter H. Grumbacher, Rabbi Emeritus, Congregation Beth Emeth
This month, the Jewish world will be celebrating a new year as well as Yom Kippur and Succot. This is the time when we gather together, emotionally if not literally. Regardless of with which branch of our faith we identify—or even if we do not identify with any as is happening more and more—we reflect on the year gone by as well as what the year ahead portends for our People.
We think of the major issues which confront us, even the fear we have resulting in some choosing not to wear identifying clothing or trinkets. There are, as there have been, divisions among us both here and in Israel, divisions which appear to be getting deeper and deeper. And yet, we stand under the banner proclaiming “We are One.”
Are we One?
It has been said that if Jew-haters wanted to get rid of us they should merely leave us alone; we are often our own worst enemy, forgetting that unity—at the very least a semblance of unity—is crucial especially during difficult times. We assimilate, though statistics point to a more intense identification with other Jews when the chips are down. Today we disparage Zionism—at least some do—and disassociate from the State of Israel, pitting one group against another on philosophical grounds.
No, we are not One. But truth be told, when have we been One? Even with antisemitism in times before today, we have had our differences. But one or more than one, many divisions or fewer, we seem to survive. Not being One hasn’t really hurt us . . . that much. I can only hope that will be the case in this topsy-turvy world in which we live where we see and feel differences far beyond those of our own People.
Having written that, my greatest concern (though, alas, others might
fit into the “greatest” category) is how we have been sucked into the political cauldron of differences. It’s not only Republican Jews versus Democratic Jews, but even divisions within any one party. Our values appear to be tossed into the dung heap regardless of which party, which candidate is more or less appealing. And the rishus—the venomous viciousness, indeed the hatred—we sense is the ingredient to major fissures in our communities.
Is this the spirit we wish to celebrate in the new year?
We are not One, but we pray we may not explode into shrapnel, thousands of perilous projectiles that can only do us harm, perhaps more harm than our enemies wish to befall us.
May 5787 be a year filled with good health for all of you and your loved ones. May the year bring calm to the souls of our People. May the new year bring peace to Israel and the world!
Jewish LIVING Delaware apologizes for the limited column this month.
Unfortunately, Rabbi Grumbacher’s intended writing partner had a
personal matter which prevented a contribution.
