Rabbi Avi Weiss, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale
There are glaring differences between
the second and first luhot (tablets of stone, containing the Ten
Commandments or Ten Declarations).
The first were God made, the second were hewed by Moshe (Moses).
And as the second were given, God also introduced the thirteen
attributes of mercy.
But most important, the second luhot were given without fanfare.
While the first giving was accompanied by thunder, lightening and
shofar, the second stands out because of its simplicity.
The first luhot were shattered, but the second remained intact,
concievably to teach that the more powerful, the more penetrating
message, is the one modestly transmitted.
Perhaps we read about the second luhot on the Shabbat of Pesach
to teach that our remaining a people--whose birth Pesach
celebrates--depends on the transmittal of the covenant in a
caring, sensitive, soft manner.
An important message especially today where words of
divisiveness--loud, militant words-- are emerging from so many
different camps.
In recent days the Union of Orthodox Rabbis have declared
Conservative and Reform Judaism "another religion"; the
chancellor of the Conservative Jewish Theological Seminary has
asked that Knesset members who support the Israeli anti-pluralism
bill be barred from appearing in non-Orthodox institutions; and
the president of the Reform Union of American Hebrew
Congregations has referred to rabbis of Borough Park as
"rabbis with medieval dress and medieval minds."
All of us ought heed the message of this Shabbat's reading and
recognize that we must tone down the rhetoric. Our challenge is
to proclaim with humility that we are correct while giving
dignity, respect and love to those with whom we disagree.
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM RABBI AVI WEISS
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Avi Weiss, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale
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