Rabbi's Weekly Teaching

Weekly Teaching By Rabbi Mitchell M. Hurvitz rabbimitch@templesholom.com
THIS SUNDAY "Keep the Lights Burning" FIDF Musical Ensemble Concert & Community Post Chanukah Celebration 3:30 pm No charge, bring your friends!
Parashat Vayigash December 10, 2010 Teaching by Rabbi Mitch rabbimitch@templesholom.com I recall sitting and watching the 1980 Winter Olympics and witnessing the "Miracle on Ice" with Al Michaels' famous call as the US Hockey Team won against the Soviets: "Do you believe in miracles? Yes!" After we concluded Chanukah this year, I felt like shouting out Michael's words: "Do you believe in miracles? Yes!" Not because of an athletic underdog winning against the odds, but, because we live in a world where miracles exist each and every day. Miracles are the banner of God's presence manifest within our world. Miracles surround us, and are within us. And, we are the "miracle-makers." Fundamental to our Judaism is the belief that we are the miracle-makers. When we see someone in need, our tradition teaches us to not rely on God, but, because of God, take care of the need. When the Maccabees only had enough oil for one day, and needed the supplies to last for eight, they lit the oil anyhow, because this is what we as Jews are trained to do. 2000 years ago, when our Jewish Homeland was destroyed by the Romans and we were subjected to the great Diaspora, we never gave up hope. We believed in the miracle of our restoration, and we made this miracle come true. On May 14th, 1948 a Jewish flag flew once again in our self-autonomous Jewish home. The miracle of Jewish redemption had taken place. We will again witness the miracle of Israel when we gather Sunday at 3:30 PM and share in the music of a special Israeli soldier ensemble; celebrating the continued miracles of our lives with our concert and celebration of "Keeping the Lights Burning". Every day we can be miracle-makers. We can kiss our children and share the miracle of love. We can share of our time and resources with our family, friends, and community. We can engage with Israel and become more educated and become strong advocates for the greatest Jewish miracle within our history since the parting of the Sea. The first prime minister of Israel, David Ben Gurion, had it right: "In order to be a realist, you must believe in miracles. Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Mitch
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