The Same Picture

Rabbi Irwin Wiener, D.D.

Recently I watched a movie in which a man took 4000 pictures (photos) of the same street scene over a period of 4000 days. At first I thought about how strange this is. But after reviewing in my mind that particular scene I began to realize that even though the picture was of the same street scene the characters changed because different people walked in front of the camera.

What does this have to do with Rosh Hashanah – a lot! Year after year we offer the same prayers, request the same kindness from a caring and loving God, hope that our lives will be less complicated – we pray for peace and justice – and it seems that the picture remains the same – different characters appear in each snapshot of life, but basically we are the same as our ancestors before us and if we could fast forward we probably would see the same ahead.

Each year we read either the Akedah – the binding of Isaac or Genesis – the beginning of everything. They are really connected – one deals with obedience and sacrifice and the other with how we got to the point of understanding the need for duty and honor and destiny.

Abraham is asked to submit to the will of God and present his son Isaac as the ultimate offering of fealty. Can anyone here imagine answering such a call? If we know anything about who we are as a people, we surely accept the fact that we bend over backwards to offer our children the best that we can and attempt to shield them from harm and danger. We invented the “yiddisher momma.” We are the first to show pictures of our children and grandchildren ad nausea. Can anyone really believe that we would take our child and kill him or her in the name of God?

Well, neither could Abraham, and for that matter, Sarah – she dies soon after this encounter – not clear in her mind as to what was happening or why or how God, who so lovingly granted her wish for a child, would want to retake that which was given. So much has been written about this chapter and the opinions vary. But the one clear message, to me, is that while God may not really require such obedience, it is evident that our mind can suggest ways for us to exonerate ourselves from our misgivings and in so doing cast the burden on our progeny. We do it all the time – we scapegoat instead of taking responsibility – we blame others for our shortcomings.

And then there is the belief that we learn from this episode that we have a responsibility to a higher calling. And as we learn from the Ramban, we must understand that our conscience should be the deciding factor in our dealings with one another. We all have the potential to do good which rates higher that the actual deed.

The second reading suggested is Bereshit (as interpreted in the Etz Haim) – Genesis – the creation of existence as we know it. It emphasizes God’s role in history. It sets forth our views and values on civilization and how we deem it part and parcel of the religion of Israel. It describes God as wholly sufficient, independent of nature – the unchallenged sovereign of the world who is involved in human affairs – He is the God of history and He is the God of creation – the creation of the human spirit, and the two – God and the spirit of humanity are woven together to complete the event of creation.

The lesson we learn from the “Beginning” is that we are born with free will, moral responsibility and accountability. There is no free ride. If we wanted a free ride, God would have left us in the Garden. If, however, we want to be a partner with God in perfecting that which He put before us, then we need to accept the duty that is incumbent upon us.

On the one hand we are asked to make sacrifices and on the other we are asked to take responsibility – they are in fact connected – sometimes being responsible requires sacrifice.

Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur deal with acknowledgement and willingness – admitting that we are who we are and therefore must answer for our actions and eager to submit to the task of saying we are sorry.

And, God doesn’t really want us to complete the deed – just make the attempt. Maybe then we won’t be so hard on ourselves and our supplications and contrition will have meaning for us.

Yes, it is the same picture year after year, but while the scenery doesn’t change, the people in the foreground do – each new generation seeking to find the answer – each generation seeking the understanding of God.

A rabbi, wishing to instruct a small boy on God’s ability to be everywhere, said to the boy:
“Show me every place that God is, and I will give you a penny.”
“Rabbi,” answered the boy, with the insight of youth, “show me any place that God isn’t, and I will give you two pennies.”

Is there a better answer?