In the schoolyard we learned: “Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me,” but we knew – even in kindergarten – that it’s not true. Words have power. God used words to create the world and words turn a simple ring into the foundation of a new Jewish family. A few words change lighting a simple candle into something more than a source of light, creating a special moment of holiness that leads to a foretaste of the world to come.
Words
can also destroy, as King Balak of Moab and leaders of Midian knew full well.
That is why they invited the greatest seer of their day, a man wise in the way
of words, Balaam, to curse the Israelites of whom they were frightened. Their effort
failed and some of Balaam’s words are now found in our prayer book: “How goodly
are thy tents, O Jacob, thy dwelling places O house of Israel.” Beyond the meaning
of the words, this statement reminds us – each time we enter a synagogue – that
words have power. We must choose them carefully, to build rather than destroy.
Words
have the ability to make an ordinary act, like lighting a candle, into a moment
of holiness, but unnecessary words, even in blessing, can ruin some commandments.
Honoring parents, raising children, giving to the poor, visiting the sick,
actually all of the interpersonal commandments, are done without a blessing.
Why?
I
want to focus on one specific answer, given by Rabbi Yechiel Yaakov Weinberg
(Poland, 1884–Switzerland,1966):
Why do we
not say a blessing for Mishloach Manot?
It seems
to me that the purpose of Mishloach Manot is to increase peace, love and friendship... Even though
with mitzvot in general, the one
who is commanded and does what he is commanded to do is greater [than the one
who is not commanded but does it anyway] and we say a blessing “and commanded
us,” nevertheless in the case of Mishloach Manot, it is better that a person give as an act of freewill,
from a feeling of love for the other. If he gives only because of the
commandment he lessens the aspect of love.
In
other words, the giver must focus on the person receiving the gift, not on him
or herself, and not even on the commanded nature of the action because that
would distract from the most important component: expressing love for the
other. Weinberg continues with a breathtaking idea:
It
further seems to me that Mishloach Manot is
really a perpetual mitzvah the entire year. On Purim we are commanded to
actualize this mitzvah so that we remember it
the entire year, just as we read Parshat Zachor to remember [Amalek] the entire
year. It is known… that we do not say a blessing over a mitzvah which is perpetual and does not end.
If Mishloach
Manot really is a perpetual mitzvah and
those given on Purim are “only” a demonstration, how is the commandment kept
during the rest of the year?
There are many possibilities but Hod VeHadar has a
time-tested method: the weekly Kiddush. I cannot forget our first Shabbat with
the congregation, in the Sharett Jr. High. It was the bar mitzvah of Yishai
Bouskila. About the service I remember very little, but the amazing Kiddush that
materialized out of picnic coolers (there was no kitchen) made a strong
impression. I very quickly understood that Hod VeHadar is a congregation where the
Kiddush is no less important than the service, and that is how a congregation
is built.
Some 10 years later, we hosted a young Rabbi who was
making the rounds of Masorti congregations to learn a few things before
starting out in his own as a congregational rabbi. He was also impressed by the
Kiddush and cooperation among members (I can’t remember what the event was that
particular Shabbat) but in a very rabbinic way asked: “How can you let people
bring homemade food and baked goods into the synagogue? Who supervises the kashrut?”
I answered that we ask that people only bring cooked food and home-made baked
goods from kitchens with separate dishes or that are
completely vegetarian but we don’t check. Then I added, “We trust and respect
each other, that how to build a congregation.” He did not reply.
We trust and respect each other. That is how we have
developed our relationships and this congregation. It hasn’t always been easy,
but we kept working and succeeded. That said, in
the last year or two, the Kiddush system ran aground a bit. The ship did not sink.
Our strong congregational spirit saved it, and a few amazing Kiddushim appeared
out of nothing on only two days’ notice. Lita and Elisabeth have worked hard to
design the new Kiddush system that is being launched today. The details were
sent to members by e-mail. There is definitely an emphasis on greater
simplicity but that doesn’t mean there should be less caring and concern. I would
like to return to the words of Rabbi Weinberg and adapt them to our situation.
It seems to me that the purpose of hosting a Kiddush is to
increase peace, love and friendship. It is best that people give from their own
free will, from a feeling of love for others and commitment to the congregation.
