PARSHA ACHREI MOS KEDOSHIM

Good Shabbos!  Today we read two portions and, as always, there is clear insightful guidance for our daily lives.  In the portion of Kedoshim it says:  “Do not stand by while your fellows’ blood is shed.”  Rashi explains:  If you see someone else in a situation of danger then you are obligated to do all you can to help save them.

How many times have we heard this verse and been challenged to help save the Jews of Israel or those in other places who are threatened with peril and persecution.  It is forbidden to sit comfortably while ignoring a fellow Jew is in pain or danger. 

In the first portion which we read today, the portion of Achrei-Mos, all of the laws governing who we may or may not marry, are listed.  We have talked about these laws in the past but there is a new attack on marriage which I feel, in light of this portion, we should consider.   

As you know, a number of states, are either considering or have recently allowed, the marriage between two people of the same gender.  I want to be very clear.  In this week’s portion, we are obligated to love other as we love ourselves - and be caring and compassionate and respectful of their feelings regardless of their race, background, or how they choose to live their lives.   Therefore, if the government wants to allow citizens to have full choice of who should be their medical surrogate or who should be their beneficiary or who they may claim to receive tax benefits - all of that is fine and wholly acceptable. 

However, this does in any way mean that we should therefore change the institution of marriage to include any additional types of relationships and call them marriage.  Marriage is not, nor has it ever been, an affirmation of love.  Love may be found between minors, siblings, or those involved in any of the numerous adulterous relationships described in our portion. Love may be present in a marriage.  Or, it may not be present in a marriage.   

What then is marriage?  Marriage means one thing and one thing only.  It is a religious and cultural institution in which a man and woman mutually obligate themselves to one another and to build a family and act in the best interests of that family unit. 

Why am I bothering to talk about an issue which is so great in its scope rather than sharing how we all can do some particular good deed in our own personal lives?  Because the portion requires that we not stand idly by when we see any problem or issue that requires attention.  As it states in Ethics of the Fathers, we are not obligated to solve all of the problems of the world - obviously, they are too great.  Yet, we are also not excused from trying our best and doing what we can to make our lives, our community, and our world a better place.  Indeed, we read in this week’s portion that the High Priest would pray on behalf, of himself, of his family, and for the entire community of Israel.  

Allow me to take this opportunity to share with you a momentous happening in the history of Louisville Jewish community that occurred yesterday.

In this case as well, people saw certain areas of communal life that were at risk and they rose to the occasion to hopefully provide for the betterment for the Jewish community both now and for the future. 

As of yesterday, the Louisville Jewish Community Federation and the Louisville Jewish Community Center both ceased to exist as they did in the past.  They are now governed by the Jewish Community Association of Louisville.  This new group will include a fund raising arm and a programming arm but is charged with a much greater mission than just the combining of those two organizations. 

The president of this newly formed group, Mr. Ed Weinberg, set a goal of building a Jewish Community in Louisville that will be flourishing in the year 2050.  Mr. Weinberg and his committees feel that their goal must be to increase the size of our Jewish community, lower the average age of our Jewish community, and help build every communal agency and institution so we may experience a flourishing Jewish future. 

I attended the first meeting of this new group and I must say that there was more positive energy in that room than in most any meeting that I have ever attended in this city over the past 20 years.  Will everything they do be perfect?  I will guarantee that it will not.  Yet, it is clear that the group is trying to make a positive impact and are committing to all of the right goals.  I do not know what the future will bring but I do know that our portion forbids us to stand idly by as we see an individual, and surely a community, in danger.

Rome was not built in a day and positive change will certainly take time.  I encourage you to think of things this community could have that would build interest and involvement and excitement and passion for Jews to live here.  Share them with myself, or in a few weeks, with Ayala Golding, who will be returning from Israel and will be a member of this board.  Mr. Weinberg has also invited anyone with any type of suggestion to contact him directly or any of the vice presidents of this new association.    

G-d instructs us to do our part and then promises to bless our actions with success.  May we go from strength to strength to add to our rich golden history in Louisville by providing for a rich Jewish future, and let us say, Amain!