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The Power to ChooseBy Richard S. Moline
Take, for example, one of the most stirring pieces of liturgy in our High Holiday mahzor - -the U'netaneh Tokef prayer. "Even the angels are alarmed, seized with fear and trembling as they declare: 'The day of judgment is here!'...This day...You bring everything that lives before You for review. You determine the life and decree the destiny of every creature." This magnificent poetry indicates that at least for this moment, our deeds are being scrupulously examined and our fate for the coming year is being determined. If this is the case, what happens to free will? If God is in a position to decree life and death, why bother to do good, to act justly? The prayer continues: "U't'shuvah, u't'fillah, u'tz'dakah ma'avirin et ro'a ha-g'zeirah...But repentance, prayer and good deeds can annul the severity of the decree." In some sense, then, free will means choosing to do good. Not choosing to act is also a choice – one for which we seemingly must also accept consequences. T'shuvah (repentance) is the watchword of this season. We all know we are to directly ask forgiveness from individuals we may have wronged during these next few days. As hard as that may be, it’s something we can all endeavor to do. Yet we also know that we must directly deal with the Holy One for any misdeeds which may have occurred in our relationship with God. How the heck do we do that? God seems to set the example for us. When Moses was on Mt. Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments, both he and God were angered to find that the Israelites had built a Golden Calf. "This is your god, O Israel," declared the people, "which brought you out of the land of Egypt" (Exodus 32:8). God tells Moses that He will destroy the people: "Now therefore let Me alone...that I may consume them; and I will make of you [Moses] a great nation (32:10)." Moses implores God to reconsider: "Why are you angry with Your people, which you brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand? . . .Turn from your fierce wrath and repent of this evil against your people...And the Lord repented of the evil which He said He would do unto his people." (32:11-14) This instance of repentance (t'shuvah) is not one of humankind repenting, but of God repenting about an injustice about to be perpetrated against the Israelites. God sets the example for us. To me, it means that just as God is able to engage in one type of repentance, so do we mere mortals have the ability to perform our own t’shuvah with God. It doesn’t, however, simply stop there. We are called B’nei Yisrael, the Children of Israel. The word Israel means to struggle with God. It’s not only up to us to be mindful of the way we behave, but to challenge the condition of today’s world – in turn, challenging the Creator, as well. The following story occurs much later in Jewish history. Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev, one of the early Hasidic masters, encountered an illiterate tailor following the concluding prayers of Yom Kippur: "Since you couldn't read the prayers today," he asked the tailor, "What did you say to God?" "I said to God," replied the tailor, "Dear God, you want me to repent of my sins, but my sins have been so small! I confess--there have been times when I failed to return to the customers the pieces of leftover cloth. When I could not help it, I even ate food that was not kosher. But really, is that so terrible? Now take Yourself, God! Just examine Your own sins: You have robbed mothers of their babies and have left helpless babies orphans. So you see, Your sins are much more serious than mine. I'll tell you what, God! You forgive me, and I'll forgive You!" The tailor appeared to be ashamed. "It was," he said to Levi Yitzchak, " a very foolish thing of me to do." "You're right," replied the rabbi, "it was very foolish. You let God off too easily!" I hope you’ll take the time this year to both reflect and challenge. Reflect on your involvement in the Jewish community. If you see something you don't like, work to change it. If you feel there’s not a place for you, challenge the establishment to create one (and you’ll have to do your part, as well). If you’ve found your place, work to bring others in. Please take the time to check out this great issue of the webzine. While you’re at it, look at our new educational materials. If you haven’t been to Israel, you need to join us on our birthright israel program. Both can be accessed through our homepage. The entire KOACH staff joins me in wishing you a Shanah Tovah. We pray for a year of health and productivity, of happiness and prosperity, and of that most precious blessing of all - - SHALOM. [Posted 9/15/04]
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The beginning of the year brings with it a flurry of activity. We become
consumed with details – starting with the move to a new dorm or apartment,
registration, extra-curricular activities, etc., etc. And even though the month
preceding the High Holidays is meant for reflection and preparation, Rosh
HaShanah and Yom Kippur still seem to sneak up on us. At
one moment we’re trying to figure out some professor’s syllabus, the next, we’re
sitting in the synagogue trying to make some sense out of our busy lives. As
frustrating as that may seem, it’s a wonderful endeavor. Our tradition helps us
in a number of ways.