a Drash for your thoughts...

This is the drash I gave last Friday (the 1st)

Shabbat Shalom,
L’dor V’dor Nilmad Nivchar V’Na’ase – From generation to generation, we shall study we shall choose and we shall do
This saying is an evolution just like Reform Judaism. David Singer a third year Rabbinical student on the faculty at the URJ Kutz Camp introduced me to the concept of Na’ase V’Nishmah that when the Israelites received Torah responded to G-d saying that we will Na’ase V’Nishmah we will do and we will obey. David stated “they were wrong because it doesn't work” It seems that is because the words are in the wrong order. As Reform Jews we must change this saying into Nilmad V’Na’ase we will study and we will do. I find a great flaw in this approach because it is missing an important piece which is choice. This lack of choice leads me to feel that Nilmad V’Na’ase does not really carry a message that cohesively fits with Reform Judaism. So, following a conversation I had with my friend Rachel Ehrlich a fellow former participant in the Kutz Judaic studies major I changed this saying to Nilmad Nivchar V’Na’ase” we will study, we will choose, and we will do.” This is the cycle we should follow we study we make a choice to observe or not to observe and to what level we observe that which we have studied, and then we act on that choice.
In this weeks portion Ki Tetze, translated often as “ when you go out “ we hear of many commandments that we should observe. The section we read from tonight holds many ethical commandments. The other sections of this portion contain more “physical” commandments and some of these more “physical” commandments seem to make less and less sense as time goes on.
An example of an ethical commandment housed it this portion is “You must pay a person their wages on the same day as you set forth before the sun sets…” When you look at this commandment you see that it makes ethical sense, a 12 year old could explain it. Unfortunately not all the commandments we see in this portion make as much sense. For example the commandment ”You shall not wear cloth combining wool and linen.” When I looked at this commandment I was initially confused, and I started to ask questions like; why should we do this ? What kind of basis does this law have in modern times? What I found surprised me. This commandment is closely connected the Temple and the Kohanim the priests who officiated sacrifice. The reason that is given for not mixing these two substances is the Kohanim wore garments of wool and linen and because of this the mixing of wool and linen holds the inherent holiness of the Kohanim, Therefore cloth of wool and linen can not be worn by anyone who is not a Kohein. I find this commandment very unnecessary in 2006 when there is no longer a Temple and the Kohanim serve no specific function in Reform Judaism. This relates to us because of the Reform value of “Choice Through Knowledge”. Choice Through Knowledge can be applied to this commandment to bring us to the conclusion that this law is dated. If we wish observe it by all means do it but if not have the understanding of the underlying meaning and spirit of this law
`Nilmad Nivchar V’Na’ase “we shall study we shall choose and we shall do. I see this as a needed redefinition of “Choice though Knowledge” and a call to action to remind us that “Choice through Knowledge” should never become choice through ignorance or choice by default,. because the resources to make informed choice are unavailable. With this we must understand that all people will not make the same choices as we do but we must remember that these choices are purely in the spirit of Reform Judaism no matter how extreme they may seem. I have spent the past three summers at the URJ Kutz Camp in Warwick NY. Kutz has been instrumental for me to understand truly what Reform Judaism is, what my Judaism is, and how Choice Through Knowledge what I call Nilmad Nivchar V’ Na’ase should truly work David Singer has shown me the importance of really understanding what’s going on around me and not just to dismiss it as Orthodox or something cohesively not Reform.
Nilmad Nivchar V’Na’ase, is a way to make sure that Reform stays current. because Reform is a process therefore it should never become stagnant. Reform is not only about Nilmad Nivchar V’Na’ase, but also about keeping an open mind. Reform Judaism is a continuum that reaches far and wide. I know Reform Jews \who consider themselves Classical Reform, and I also know people who wrap Tefillin and wear Tzit Tzit that are Reform Jews. It’s not about what you do, but how and why you reach your decisions to do it.
This portion is filled with commandments, some that you can easily understand and take to heart, and others that take much study and consideration to understand. All I ask is that Ahtai Ki tetze or rather Ki Netze anachnu Nilmad Nivchar V’Na’ase . When we go out, let us study, let us choose, and let us do.
Shabbat Shalom
tell me what you think...