Rosh Hashanah Sermon: 5767

Rabbi Greg Wolfe
Congregation Bet Haverim
Rosh Hashanah Day 5767
Davis, CA

Two Heads Are Equal to One

Once seven brothers appeared before wise King Solomon with a dispute. Six brothers were normal, well, like you and me, they only had one head. The seventh brother, on the other hand, had two heads. The two-headed brother wished to claim two shares of their father's inheritance. The other brothers claimed each should receive only one share since each brother is one person. King Solomon told the two-headed brother that he had a plan to solve the dilemma. The king ordered a pot of boiling water to be poured on one of the heads of the two-headed brother. (This, of course, is the same king who wanted to cut a baby in half so we should remember that his outlandish solutions are simply to make a dramatic point.) If the other head screams, the King pointed out, it indicates that both heads are part of one body, and he deserves only one equal share. If the other head does not scream, it indicates the two heads are separate bodies and he deserves two portions. Surely, there was but one inheritance despite the brother having two heads!

We, the Jewish people, are, in fact, just like the two-headed brother. We live dispersed throughout the world, speak a host of languages, embrace a range of traditions and cultures, and even sport a variety of skin colors and other physical characteristics--perhaps, we may even have many heads! Yet, wherever we find ourselves, we all share in the exact same inheritance. When one head hurts, the others feels the pain just as powerfully. We can't help it. We are committed to each other, we are connected with each other. That's what it means to be a family, especially where everyone wants to be a head. That's what it means to be a Jew!

This shared pain was never more evident than during the latest Lebanon war this summer as we watched with deep concern the torrent of bombs and rockets descending on northern Israel with devastating consequences. Though it was Israel that was suffering directly, we, the Jewish family the world over, all experienced the hurt, the anguish, and the heartache as if it were happening to us. Our emotional response was an expression of our commitment, too, for we share in the covenantal relationship of an ancient people, intertwined with the history of our land. Of course, our pain and grief were even more intensified knowing that so many innocent civilians in Lebanon, as well, were engulfed by the terrible death and destruction instigated by Hezbollah. (Quite clearly, we Jews share not only in the fortunes of our people, but we feel the pain of all of humanity.) Whatever our political stripe or opinion, whether we are left or right, our differences--that sometimes keep us at a distance from one another--melted away and the Jewish people were united once again in our care and concern for the safety and well-being of Israel and her citizens. Powerfully, we were reminded that the Jewish people are one.

On this Rosh Hashanah, as we hear the plaintive cry of the shofar go forth, let it be for all of us an urgent call to the Jewish people to put our heads together! And we need not wait for a crisis, until the boiling water is flowing. We must make our unity more than a slogan. It must be a reality now, today, and tomorrow. We must live our lives with a profound sense of our connection to the people of Israel and our shared commitment to one another. Two heads, but only one body; one soul. As the shofar blasts resound this year, let the disparate and broken notes of our hearts resolve into a single and unified outcry--one long tekiah--for peace and security for Israel and her citizens; indeed, for the entire Middle East, which is in need of so much healing.

There can be no denying the significant challenges that yet remain to be tackled before our dream of peace can be achieved. But the new year reminds us of what is possible if our hearts stay open. Rosh Hashanah calls us to never lose sight of our ultimate dreams, including the vision we have for our Jewish homeland. We must keep the flames of hope alive--HaTikvah. This, too, is a part of our commitment as Jews. These commitments are not always so easy, as we see in this story:

A chicken and a salmon go out for brunch one day and stop at a nearby restaurant. The salmon takes one look at the menu hanging in the window and upon seeing that they serve omelets, lox and bagels, he says to his companion: "I'm sorry. We can't eat here." "Why not?" asks the chicken. The salmon huffs, "Don't you see? They're serving lox, that's smoked salmon!" "Well," replies the chicken, "they are also serving eggs and you don't see me getting upset." "Yes," agrees the salmon, "but from you they only want a donation. From me they require a commitment!"

In light of the challenging days that Israel faced this summer, we might ask ourselves some thought-provoking questions: What is the nature of my commitment to Israel? How does my relationship with Israel inform and influence my identity as a Jew? And, how might I express my commitment to Israel during her time of need and beyond? These are not questions that I am able to answer for you. Each of us must come to our own conclusions as we grapple with our experiences and emotions. Does being committed to Israel mean we must agree with every action the Israeli government takes? No. Does it mean that we can't debate the policies and practices of Israel? No. Does it mean that we can't ask questions? No. But it does mean that we must give thoughtful consideration to how we can be there for Israel. How we can sustain her and seek the best for her. As in a family, there are many ways we might accomplish our goals to demonstrate our support; as long as we remember that our "two heads"--we and Israel-- are really one.

For though the bombs have stopped for now, the damage done has left the north of Israel reeling. So many people were displaced by the violent attacks, only to return to their homes to find them riddled with holes and craters. Businesses have been destroyed. The economy was severely undermined. And schools have been decimated – just as the back-to-school season begins. The financial needs of northern Israel have been estimated to be in excess of $500 million. (according to the UJC, Orchard, Fall 5767)

Northern Israel is characterized my many small, privately owned businesses, many of them agricultural. By some estimates, at least 90,000 small businesses have been crippled by the war. I read recently of the Bez family who owns a fruit farm in Metullah, which is right on the border with Lebanon. The family's entire year is focused on the harvest of their orchards that takes place during the summer. The war broke out just as the fruit was ripening and no one was able to go out to the orchards. Ophir Bez, who, at 31 years of age runs the family enterprise, had to forfeit all of this year's profits because of the incessant and unpredictable attacks. Without some kind of assistance, his business will be in ruins and his livelihood lost. (Orchard 2006) The Bez family is just one example of the devastating impact the war has had. Of course, others suffered even greater losses as the lives of dear family and friends were snuffed out in the violence. Still there are the nightmares that continue to plague the children who spent weeks in the bomb shelters, afraid to sleep in their own beds. The infrastructure of entire communities will need to be repaired and revitalized, as well.

In response to this critical need, the UJC (the United Jewish Communities, of which we are a part through our Sacramento Jewish Federation) launched The Israel Emergency Campaign, which has generated more than $300 million so far to help the most vulnerable populations of Israel's north during the recent war, be they Arab, Druze or Jews, and to help the region rebuild. UJC's National Campaign Chair, Joel Alperson of Omaha, said that "we all stand on the front lines with Israel" in its quest for peace. "Whether delivering crucial social services in Israel or helping the North rebuild, we remind the world that we Jews are one people, sharing a common destiny."

When the war broke out this summer, we were in Israel. Our tour with families from the congregation had just ended and our group had returned to the states; but Julie, the kids and I remained for a few more days in Jerusalem, still basking in the glow of the incredible experience we had all shared together. Only days before the violence erupted, we had danced in the streets of Tzefat, dined on the shores of the Kineret in Tiberias, and stood overlooking the great valley that stretched into Lebanon. The trip had been a dream come true--Israel appeared peaceful, tourists were everywhere, everyone I knew seemed to be going. Then the bombs…and the bubble burst! There is nothing like a trip to Israel, traveling its length and breadth, to give you an incredible perspective on what Israelis have struggled and lived with every day for the last 58 years. Yet despite constant wars, terrorist attacks, intifadas, and neighbors who refuse to recognize her right to exist, Israel has succeeded in creating a modern miracle, with achievements in science, the arts, technology, agriculture, and literature. Not bad for such a young country! Just imagine what we could have done if there had been peace. Each of us came away from the trip with new insights and a deeper sense of attachment to Israel, and feeling inspired to seek out more ways to act on our feelings of connection.

There are many things that we can now do to help support Israel. First of all, the financial need is still great and there are many organizations working to facilitate fundraising, including our Federation and the Reform Movement. You may have your own favorite organizations, too. The most important thing is to live generously. I would also encourage you to travel to Israel, as we did, to experience the reality of Israel and to learn first-hand about the current challenges and to participate in the rebuilding now taking place. Reading, discussing and educating ourselves about the current situation is also very important as it provides an opportunity to ask questions, gain understanding and share what we have learned with others. But, I think the most meaningful action we can take would be to make a direct connection with a community or organization, such as a school, in the north of Israel. In this way, we can experience the impact of our assistance in an extremely personal way and develop real relationships with those who were most affected by the war. Let us put our heads together and make this dream a reality. I could think of no better way of expressing our connection and commitment to our brothers and sisters in Israel.

Let this be our legacy: A recognition of our shared inheritance with Israelis and the wisdom to realize that only if we work together--Jews around the world with our fellow Jews in Israel -- will we succeed in creating a strong, safe and secure Israel that is a beacon of justice and righteousness. When we are working together, we will rebuild lives and lift spirits, ours and theirs. Im tirtzu ein zo agaddah. If you will it, it is no dream.

ken y'hi ratzon

Rabbi Greg Wolfe