Parsha For Patriots; Haftara For Heros
Who else is tired of hearing the same milquetoast niceness, made the homily of any and every Parsha? Like the ad for some Financial Firm or another: WHAT CAN BICYCLE RACING TEACH US ABOUT INVESTING? It seems that every Rabbi, whether Conservative, Reformed, Orthodox, Messianic, and every Reverend of the admittedly few Churches I've attended can take any given Text and find that within one or two Degrees of Separation there is a message about OUR RESPONSIBILITY
TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF THE PLANET. Even the most tedious parshot from Leviticus describing in fractal depth the accoutrements and structure of the Mishkan can spring forth into wondering just what animals were the bearers of Tachash skins. And who is to say which of today's ENDANGERED SPECIES may not be found to be of the up-most importance to _________ (fill in the blank: medicine, food, fuel etc)?
My final straw was a middle-aged avuncular man, who had been a long time member of a Messianic Congregation. This was my first foray into Organized Religion having grown lonely in my disorganized congregation of one. He volunteered before services that he had something in his pocket, something we all can buy for but a couple of dollars and can help us Save The Planet!!!! It was a tire pressure gauge, and an admonishment that He who is Faithful in small things will be given authority over greater things in Haba Olam, the World To Come. "Indeed tis a small thing, Henry" whispered I.
And other more or less similar fixation on Carbonism and Obamaism and Social Justice and finally I came back after a six month boycott and was told by the busy body women's clubs leader that we had to get our checks in this week, in order to be sure of getting in to the "AWAKENING THE DREAMER WITHIN" seminar. The title sounded sort of New Age Green/Red and so at home I googled it to see it was highly endorsed by Van (the man) Jones! That was the last time I ever planned on seeing that synagogue of Satan again! As a family (as if!) we would attend a Conservative Synagogue. On Passover the rabbi made a long winded prayer that next year it would fill his heart with such Joy as nothing else he could imagine might if by some miracle We would all be in Jerusalem. No, forget the blue type. His Dream for his synagogue would to have its roof fitted with Solar Panels! I swear I laughed out loud as I left the room!
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