D’var Torah – March 7

I hope this finds you well.

If there’s one thing most people can’t abide by, it’s one-sided relationships. People can’t stand by and watch a girlfriend who puts all the hard work, time, love, and effort into her relationship while her ungrateful boyfriend contributes nothing, all the while sitting back on his recliner in his man cave, drinking beer, eating nachos, and playing video games. Equally, people can’t stomach a boyfriend who gives and gives and gives while his girlfriend simply expects to be pampered and waited on hand and foot. The same can be said of a lazy employee, an indifferent employer, an obnoxious and rude customer, or a neglectful proprietor and disinterested merchant. Sadly, we have all experienced this at some point or another. We are not wrong for expecting a certain basic level of commitment, concern, support and basic gratitude from those with whom we share a mutually-agreed upon bond or contract of any sort. A healthy relationship simply has to be two-sided.

One of our people’s most beautiful prayers is that of Ahavat Olam (“Eternal Love”). It reads:

“With an eternal love have You loved your people Israel, by teaching us the Torah and its commandments, laws and precepts. Therefore, Adonai our God, we shall meditate on Your laws when we lie down and when we rise up, and we shall rejoice in the words of Your Torah and Your commandments for ever. For they are our life and the length of our days, and we shall reflect upon them day and night.”[1]

“Eternal”, “for ever,” “day and night”- It is clear that God’s love and concern for us is a constant fixture in our lives.

The question is, however, do we actually reciprocate that love?

Sadly, a recent survey showed that the majority of American Jews, 58%, rarely pray, if ever.[2] On top of this, one has to wonder that if/when the vast majority of our brethren do indeed pray, if it is out of genuine love, thanksgiving, and appreciation for all that God has given us, or if it is out of exasperation, desperation, emergency, and seeing no other earthly, tangible options.

In this week’s parsha of Tetzaveh we are commanded to light the menorah and burn incense in the tabernacle daily.[3]  Daily, daily, daily. The Tabernacle, as one will recall, was God’s dwelling place among the people of Israel. In other words, our ancestors had a loving obligation to attend to God with the same consistency and normalcy that He attended to them. They are simple gestures, but their uninterrupted frequency, solid coordination, and constancy speak volumes.

It’s often asked, does God show up for us? However, how often is the reciprocal question asked, do we show up for God?

Perhaps the lesson here is that we should remind ourselves daily of all that God has done and continues to do for us, and that a simple thank you both day and night demonstrates and reaffirms our love and appreciation for the Divine.

Bizrat HaShem, may we show up for God with the same love and devotion with which He shows up for us.

Wishing you a Good Shabbos and a wonderful, restful weekend.

Bivrakha,

Rabbi Aaron Stucker-Rozovsky

Beth El Congregation | 520 Fairmont Ave, Winchester, VA 22601

(540) 667-1889 (office)