On Sunday, May 27, we will be re-experiencing the magnificent story of the receiving of the Torah as we read the Ten Commandments for the 3,324th time, right here in Malibu.
There is an ancient document, 3,324 years old, that claims the power to save you from any situation. This document is respected and revered by the three most practiced religions in this country. It has been recognized throughout history by scholars of all three religions and is the most sold book in history. Do you know what its name might be? By now you most likely guessed, it is the Torah. For some it is known as the Bible or the five books of Moses.
My intellectual journey has led me to real travel. I am always amazed by different cultures. For example, I recall being warned that on the shores of Sydney Australia, when I was studying in the Rabbinical Seminary there, I was not to give anyone the thumbs up (apparently an offensive sign there).
Indeed, people have developed a variety of different tastes. These differences run across the spectrum, from the food to the dress, to the “rules of proper etiquette.” As a student of history and as a Jew, one of the important destinations on my list is the local synagogue.
Many ancient synagogues were destroyed in World War II but some survived, and we can see reflected in their design a hint of the culture of the host country. The style in the synagogues varies greatly, and every country has prayer books in its respective languages.
In contrast, the one part of the synagogue that is absolutely consistent, whether it be Moscow, Russia, or Malibu, California is the Torah scroll. Her words and message are always the exact same.
This year, May 26 at night, will mark the 3324th anniversary of the giving of the Torah and the Ten Commandants on Mt. Sinai. It thus marks the Jewish holiday of Shavuot.
There is the well known story of the famous Jewish sage named Hillel and a person who wanted to convert, requesting Hillel to teach him the Torah while standing on one foot. Hillel answered: "What is hateful unto you, do not do to another. This is the whole Torah. All the rest is commentary.
This statement is, of course, another way of saying what is commonly known as "The Golden Rule."
Most of us have a deep desire for a kinder and brighter world. The ancient yet timeless formula from the Torah is; if each of us made it a daily effort to do an additional act of goodness and kindness we will experience a world that is beyond our current imagination's reach and more beautiful than any beauty we can conjure.
On Sunday, May 27, we will be re-experiencing the magnificent story of the receiving of the Torah as we read the Ten Commandments for the 3,324th time, right here in Malibu.
You are most welcome to join us, please email us ([email protected]) if you would like to participate.