The Meaning of Tradition

Rabbi Irwin Wiener, D.D.


Usually at this time of the year we start asking questions because of all the commotion regarding Christmas. It is a wonderful time of the year and, a frightening time as well. There are doubts about who we are and how we fit into the rush and excitement that we witness taking place with our Christian neighbors. I, for one, am happy for them because of the message of the season, not the trappings and gift giving.

The meaning is quite simple which makes it even more appealing. Peace on Earth, good will toward men – men, of course, used in the generic sense. How could anyone argue with such a concept? After all it has its roots in Judaism’s understanding of relationships and attachments. It emanates from the Jewish gift to humanity of the concept of a Messianic wish and hope – a time when all will be well with the world and the lion will finally lie down with the lamb indicating the removal of hate and fright.

And yet, while we delivered this message as described in the Prophets, we still are a skeptical people reacting more to practical feelings rather than spiritual ones. Our Christian brothers and sisters have taken the belief to include a physical arrival while we look to a time when order will be created out of chaos. Both traditions are rooted in the belief and hope that humanity is capable of good and noble things

We look at this tradition in a more humorous way giving us the opportunity to rationalize the idea so that we can digest it. For example the story is told about a small Russian shtetl (community) where the city council decides to pay a poor Jew a ruble a week to sit at the town’s entrance and be the first to greet the Messiah when he arrives. The man’s brother comes to see him, and is puzzled why he took such a low paying job. “It’s true,” the poor man responds, “the pay is low. But it’s a steady job.”

We wait and yet we wonder and all too often we see misery and homelessness and poverty and wonder about our ever witnessing a time of tranquility and peace. And, yes, we laugh because it gives us the ability to hope without feeling so frustrated.

A Jew comes home from Synagogue and tells his wife: “They say the Messiah is coming any day, and will take us all to Israel.” The wife becomes hysterical. “Oh no! It would be terrible. It took years till we could finally move into this neighborhood, and buy the house we wanted. Now we’ve spent a fortune fixing it up. I don’t want the Messiah to take us away.” “Okay, okay, don’t worry,” the husband says. “We survived Pharaoh; we survived all types of discrimination. With God’s help, we’ll survive the Messiah too!”

Woody Allen reacted to the prophesy about the lion and the lamb explaining that a man was visiting a zoo and is taken to the lion’s cage. He witnesses there the literal fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophesy – a lion and calf in a cage together. Amazed he calls over an attendant. : How long have you had a lion and calf in a cage together?” “Over a year already.” “How do you do it?” “It’s easy. Every morning we put in a new calf.”

So here we are at this time, in this place, and the same thoughts run through our mind about a Messiah and the message it is intended to deliver. But then I look around and see people rushing to help people. I see people, some tired, some ill, still reaching out to help others who need the help more than they. I see volunteers serving food to those who are hungry or bringing groceries and medicines to the housebound. I see people raising funds for the needy among us. I see others collecting food for those less fortunate. I see all of this each and every day and I realize that the Messiah is among us – in each of us.

This is not a dream or a wish – but in the person of each of us who join together to reconnect to an idea, a feeling, and a moment of sacredness.

Those who believe in a physical Messiah can witness all the Messiahs at work. Those who believe in a Messianic era – well each generation brings the Messianic time a bit closer through the works of their hands. This is how God intended us to believe in the future by living in the present.

To our Christian friends – we wish them a very Merry Christmas together with the hope that their dreams and wishes will receive fulfillment and that the message of this season will give them renewed faith in each other and in God.

To all who celebrate Hanukkah – my wish is that the lights of the Menorah will continue to burn in each of us as we go from strength to strength in achieving the meaning of the Messianic promise and expectation of goodness and mercy, of kindness and redemption. This is what the Maccabees, some 2200 years ago in the midst of turmoil and despair taught us by taking destiny into their own hands thus giving us the opportunity to get closer to God through our own efforts of determination and fortitude.

May God bless all of us, Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Baha’is and all who seek to find God through their own commitment of love and caring. And may He find favor with us as we begin a new season of continuity.