"JOURNEYS NEAR AND FAR"
PART TWO

"FROM SINAI TO SINAI"
OUR JOURNEY OF FAITH

A Sermon For The Day Of The New Year 5764


September 27, 2003








Rabbi Edward Paul Cohn
Temple Sinai
New Orleans, Louisiana


In the history of journeys, Abraham and Sarah's was a shelp— not only physically, but theologically!  No doubt they would have much preferred business class on a jumbo jet, Baghdad to Tel Aviv, arriving 40 minutes later at Ben Gurion Airport.  Not that that particular connection is much more likely today than it was in Abraham's day!

The story of Judaism is the story of Far Journeys, journeys of transcendent significance and timeless consequence. And unless we fathom that fact, we miss the point of all that follows in Jewish history right down to you and me on this Rosh HaShanah Day.

Actually, ever since Adam and Even were evicted from Eden, everyone in scripture was wandering, wondering, kvetching, in search, in faith-- on the move. And I'm not just talking about that scary father son trip to Mt. Moriah of Abraham and Isaac, I mean, everyone's on the road. Except of course, poor thing, Mrs. Lot, who, when she stopped to look backward, had her ticket invalidated!

Though Jacob thinks he's journeying alone, God is with him at every turn, programming Jacob's strange dreams of that staircase to heaven and refereeing an all night wrestling match which changes Jacob's name to Israel.

Jacob has a dozen sons. One, is that smart, cute as a button, and pain in the tunic, precocious, Joseph. He has no idea one day that he's going on a journey. Ask him, he is delivering lunch to his grouchy brothers. Ask them, he's on a one way journey with the Ishmaelite tennis team! So the whiz kid, winds up as the Viceroy of Egypt.

Enter "The Famine" which Joseph had predicted. Joseph's kin come on down to Egypt. They stay-- too long. A new Pharaoh comes to town who knows nothing of gratitude, but has a knack for building. "Help Wanted" -- Cheap. Slavery - 400 - years."

Moses takes two journeys. First, as a baby he floats on the Nile in a basket into the hands of Pharaoh's daughter. Then, years later, shepherding his father-in-law's flocks, Moses sees this burning bush which won't burn up. God is calling Moses to make a return trip to Egypt.

The ten plagues. The divided sea. And we belly-ached, as we walked forward. "Not enough to eat!" "Not enough water!" Do you know that some even thought of going back to Egypt, can you imagine that? But then came Mount Sinai!

Tradition teaches that God spoke at Sinai that day in every language then known on earth. In our history, we were never closer to God, and perhaps more well mannered either! The Torah teaches us, that the souls of every Jew yet to be born, were present on that holy mountain as we dutifully and unanimously pledged: Na-aseh v'nish'ma - "We will do and we will harken." And ever since, Jewish spirit has continued to hunger for that intimacy with the Creator which we experienced at Sinai.

Since the destruction of Jerusalem in the year 70 by the Romans, and the decreed dispersal of Jewish souls throughout the world, we have endured exile, slavery, vilification as perfidious Christ killers, (and thank you Mel for that wonderful new film--NOT!) We've been labeled the infidels, the well poisoners, and the causers of the plague. Yes, we Jews have been the pawns of history, too often our fate determined by unworthy people of ignorance and naked greed.

I say our fate, but not our destiny! Because, throughout it all, we Jews have pursued our inner search, our faith journey which began with Abraham and Sarah. Hungry or satisfied, safe or pursued, believing or denying, cursing or praising - we Jews have understood ourselves to be a pilgrim people on this earth. And as long as you have breath, well then that Jewish journey is a part of you, and your life is a part of it.

If you are not on a pilgrimage of one sort or another here today, questioning your purpose, your role in this 3500 to 4000 year treck through history, sometimes doubting your certainties, often wondering as to the nature and reality of God, frankly sickened by the wicked who win, and, confused by the good who don't - then I fear your Jewish soul could be in trouble. You'd be like those Hebrews who so long ago thought about returning to Egypt. And we don't want that do we!

Had Abraham wanted tranquility and easy living, he would have stayed put in ancient Baghdad and become the CEO of "Idols are Us." Peace of mind has never been one of Judaism's promises to you or me. Purpose? Yes! Meaning? Yes! Challenge? Yes! Duty? Yes! An opportunity for holiness? Yes! Tranquility? No!

Philosopher, Martin Buber, used to say,

"All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware."

Well then, what do we know of ours? Where are we on our Jewish journey? What's it look like on this first day of the New year 5764? First let's give thanks: Am Yisrael Chai-- The People of Israel and the Faith of Israel live! Jews all over the world are celebrating and learning and discovering and sharing and growing in our magnificent heritage of human decency and accountability. All of which is not to say we don't also have our share of tzorus because too many of us still under appreciate the beauty of our Judaism. Like Esau, we're often too lazy, too indifferent to claim our birthright. Moreover, there are other worrisome realities you and I need to acknowledge.

This Summer in Europe I noticed plenty of anti-Semite graffiti. It hides, of course, behind the appearance of anti-Zionism, but we know there is no distinction! Many in church and government claim to be appalled and shocked by it, but in reality, the response is one of yawning complacency. Sometimes it's insanity and treachery catches me by complete surprise.

For instance, do you remember how we wept with all decent people last winter on that Shabbos day when the Columbia disintegrated on it's re-entry and those beautiful, brave astronauts were all killed? But do you know that in advance of that flight, the Arab League had bitterly condemned NASA for including Israeli, Col. Ilan Ramon, among the crew members, charging that it was "the first step in illegal Zionist occupation of space."

I'll also admit to you that I don't know what to make of the attitudes of many of my mainline Christian colleagues who continue to judge Israel as the aggressor, if you will, the Goliath, and the Palestinians and Arabs as the innocent, victimized David. The facts are clear: since the outbreak of the intifada suicide bombings perpetrated by Palestinian terrorists have killed more than 850 people and wounded 4000 others. A recent resolution on the Middle East passed by the Presbyterian Church USA, ignores these facts, but focuses in minute detail on the case against Israel.

Why are we Jews arguably Madison Avenue's greatest PR experts, so seemingly inept in stating Israel's case? How have we allowed the "Big Lie" to befuddle historical fact? But would you give a look at those Christians who are Israel's stalwart defenders. The Right Wing Fundamentalists, whose professed love of Israel derives from their pre-millenialist certainty that Israel's future is but the prelude to the end of Jewish faith.

Now, If you've come here today expecting to hear a comprehensive Middle East peace plan from this rabbi, I'm afraid you're going to leave disappointed. As the Prophet Micah said 2800 years ago: "I am neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet." In truth I have no idea how to disentangle the lethal morass which separates the children of Isaac from the children of Ishmael. But I know enough to steadfastly stand beside our brothers and sisters, the Israeli people. I also know, it was ugly, un Jewish, and politically self defeating for some in Israel's government to talk so brazenly about killing Yasir Arafat. "We're going to kill him," doesn't make the best headline.

Nevertheless, Israel's struggle and their journey is ours. So here is one suggestion. Come to Israel in this hour of testing and trial. Sign up to go in November with our New Orleans Jewish Federation, or even better, you come with Cantor Colman and me this Mardi Gras. Our trip will be a whole lot better, but don't tell the federation folks I said so. If I get in trouble, I'll know who squealed!

Play write, David Mamet, once made this illuminating distinction between what he called "The real and imaginary Jews?" Said Mamet, imaginary Jews are the delight of the world:

The Warsaw ghetto fighters, the cast of the Exodus movie, Anne Frank. They all died so heroically. The world loves the imaginary Jews and cries in the last scene of their deaths.

But David Mamet points out, however, that the world doesn't give a tinker's damn for the real Jews - those of us who will never again rollover and play dead in order to placate our hypocritical detractors. Isn't that who we want to be, real Jews?

We need to take a moment now to look at our situation here in our beloved America. So-called "church-state" issues currently threaten the continuance of our American Jewish 350 year old Golden Age. If ever you want to know what one single factor has exercised the most profound influence in making the Jewish experience in this New World oh so different from the horrific experience of the Old World, well then you have no farther to search than the constitutional separation of church and state.

There is nothing difficult to understand here. Those who advocate school prayer, Bible readings, ten commandments posted in court houses, and pro-biblical constitutional amendments are endangering our secure position in this blessed land.

Though the Puritans may have seen this country as an embodiment of biblical ideals, read your history and understand that the framers of our Constitution most assuredly did not! Fierce battles have, and will yet be fought, at every level - local, state and federal to determine whether or not these United States are a Christian Nation. And we dear friends had best participate most actively in that discussion and debate.

Let me also suggest that our Chabad and so-called "Modern Orthodox" coreligionists take a course in American Jewish History. It is obvious, that though they may know their Talmud and their Kabbalah and their laws of Kashrut, in supporting parochial school vouchers, they manifest astounding ignorance of the facts of this Jewish Golden Age in America. The very future, of Jews and Judaism in this country, given our diminishing numbers, may well depend on that wall of separation between church and state erected by Protestants, for the protection of Protestants, more than 200 years ago. American Orthodox groups are hoping to gear up this fall with Congressional and Religious Right support to work for the passage of school vouchers for parochial schools and federal aid to religiously affiliated schools. I have no complaints with non-religious, non-profit organizations getting such federal funding.
So you see what I mean? There is no shortage of challenges on this Rosh HaShanah Day is there? You know, years ago I was speaking at a Catholic High School here in New Orleans and at the conclusion of my "Everything you've always wanted to know about Judaism in 25 minutes" lecture, came face to face with something I had obviously left out.
One of the seniors raised her hand to ask:

Rabbi, so what do you Jews hope for?
I mean, what's the point of your religion?

I pulled together a rambling answer, but her excellent question has remained foremost in my mind ever since. Here's what I wish I had told her on that day. Here's what I need to tell you on this one.

Once we Jews waited for a personal Messiah. And some Jews still do. They tell the story of the ragged man sitting sullenly in a doorway when one of the townspeople inquired:

"What are you doing just sitting there?"
"Why don't you get a job and do something?"

To which he replied:

"This is my job, I wait for the Messiah - professionally."

And the man responded with irritation:

"What kind of job is that, a Professional Messiah waiter?"

"Well, says the first man, it's steady work."

And, indeed it is!

A Jew comes home from synagogue and tells his wife, "They say the Messiah is coming any day and will take us all to Israel." The wife becomes hysterical.

That would be terrible! It took years til we finally moved into this neighborhood and bought this house of our dreams. I've finally decorated it. I don't want the Messiah to take us away!

And the husband comforted his wife assuring:

Okay, okay, don't worry. We survived Pharaoh, we survived Haman. With God's help, we'll survive the Messiah too!


Two hundred years ago, we Reform Jews gave up our belief in the coming of a Personal Messiah. Instead we used to express our faith in the coming of the Messianic Age. The Messianic Age sounded just right to us, this idea that people of good will would generously band together, and sharing the fruits of modernity's progress, to create a world of security, inclusiveness and reason. We preached that from our pulpits with utmost fervor, but then came the carnage of the first World War and the notion of this inevitable Messianic Age began to wear thin.

This beautiful vision died once and for all with the ashes of Auschwitz. And so that high school student, and maybe everyone of you are wondering, so what then is left in which to believe and hope? What climactic vision of the human journey is there still for us to embrace post Holocaust, post 9-11?

Well, you've got me. It's time to fess up. You have every right to know. For me, it's the Messianic Journey, a term and concept I learned from Cleveland's Rabbi Jeremy Silver, Zichrono Livracha, (of blessed memory).

Rabbi Silver insisted that to live on the Messianic Journey is to live lives of meaning and joy, committed to high ideals and sacred values. It is to be grateful that in the very act of living there are wondrous moments of joy if we do not hitch our hopes to grand finales- to fame, wealth, fortune, power - goals which, even when achieved, never fully satisfy.

There will always be thorny and daunting problems in society, not to mention in our own personal lives because of our human frailties. Still, wherever we are, whatever be our condition in life, it is possible, is it not, to give ourselves over to moments of beauty, kindness and love; to expend our energies usefully and to experience the stirring wisdom of our Jewish faith.

It is possible to live great lives, and to journey toward Sinai and our Promised Land, even though like Moses, we never reach its fulfillment. Surely I say to you dear ones, there is great dignity and fulfillment and sanctity in being among those of every race and creed and nation who are trying to enhance and to touch this world for the better by their caring and by their works, with every ounce of their strength and conviction.

Such then is the Messianic Journey. I commend it to you and urge you to embrace it. We are journeying toward Sinai and toward our Promised Land. How far ahead is it? Well, whatever. But we're intent on going forward! Our world may not be a perfect world, but it is God's world. So on this holy day, let me ask God's blessings upon you and yours in your every searching and in your every finding, all along the precious way this year, and for all the years that we shall have to come.

Amen.