Each of us has our reason for contributing to the Operational Campaign. For some, it is appreciation for what the school has given us. For some, it is an investment in the future. For some, it is a feeling of responsibility to the community. There are as many reasons as contributors. Each of these reasons is praiseworthy and laudable.
Beyond the individual reasons why each person gives, this focused initiative of the entire community over the course of only two weeks itself conveys a message. I want to share two inspirational messages that I am taking away from the Operational Campaign.
I will present the first message from what I readily acknowledge is an odd perspective.
Like it or not, we can learn a lot about ourselves by studying how our enemies see us. Through their criticism and even venom, our enemies often provide a window into our deepest held beliefs in ways that escape our self-awareness.
How did one of the Jewish people’s greatest archenemies view the strength of the Jewish people? How did Haman see us?
I was inspired to consider this perspective because of an interesting statement by our chachamim. The Torah calls Yom Kippur, “Yom HaKippurim” – the day of atonements. Our Rabbis say that this name is a hint to a connection between Yom Kippur and another holiday - Purim. Yom HaKippurim is Yom – a day – Ke Purim - like Purim. Yom Kippur is the day that is like Purim.
On the surface, the comparison seems quite difficult. Purim is a day of feasting – Yom Kippur is a day of fasting. Purim is a day of celebration – Yom Kippur is a day of introspection. Purim commemorates a hidden miracle – Yom Kippur is dedicated to atonement. In some ways, Purim and Yom Kippur seem to have very little in common and in other ways, they seem to communicate opposite messages.
On Purim, we read the story of the Jewish experience in Shushan in which Haman wanted to annihilate the Jewish people. Haman had to convince Achashverosh – an insecure king who tolerated the Jews – that killing the entire Jewish people was a good idea. Haman used three arguments that excited Achashverosh’s paranoia.
Think about it. Haman was right! Each one of these arguments on its face is correct! His observations are accurate! In fact, doesn’t Yom Kippur highlight the reality that we are a unified people, we are dispersed and that we do have strange laws and customs?
On Yom Kippur, we act as a unified nation.
On Yom Kippur, we certainly have unique laws. Yom Kippur is a day of abstention from eating and drinking, wearing leather shoes, bathing and anointing - a day of complete continence. In the time of the Beis HaMikdash, during the Korban Azazel – a goat would be led into the wilderness and over a cliff to its death.
The very qualities that Haman touted as reasons to annihilate the Jewish people are on full display on the holiest day of the Jewish year.
Haman’s premises were corrupt, indeed. He was evil incarnate. Haman hated k’lal Yisrael. He accused us of being a unified nation. Haman hated our mission to be an ohr lagoyim – a light unto the nations. He accused us of being widely dispersed in the kingdom. Most importantly, Haman hated Torah. He accused us of having strange laws and customs.
But in his accusations, doesn’t Haman helps us crystallize our understanding of three of the elements that characterize a vigorous Jewish community?
There is no secret to what makes a strong and vibrant Jewish community. Haman understood it and we understand it. I am so inspired by the Love of Torah and Love of the Jewish People that pervades this campaign and tonight’s dinner.
I am also inspired by the promise and anticipation of the future conveyed by the Operational Campaign.
In his Pachad Yitzchak, Rav Yitzchok Hutner quotes a story from the first Gerrer Rebbe. One year on Simchas Torah, the Rebbe saw two of his followers dancing fervently and enthusiastically. Both were great Torah scholars. The Rebbe turned to the person next to him and predicted which of the two would tire first. And so it was.
When asked how he knew, the Rebbe explained that one student was dancing in celebration of all of the Torah that he had learned in the previous year while the other student directed his energy to dance in anticipation and excitement for the Torah he would learn in the coming year. What we have already learned, said the Rebbe, is finite, complete and has limits. What we can yet learn, though, is not defined and therefore our strength for it is greater.
Love is inspiring. Love spreads. I pray that tonight’s effort will be contagious. May the love of Torah and the Jewish People demonstrated by the Operational Campaign be a source of inspiration in the coming year for our students, teachers and the entire community!
Beyond the individual reasons why each person gives, this focused initiative of the entire community over the course of only two weeks itself conveys a message. I want to share two inspirational messages that I am taking away from the Operational Campaign.
I will present the first message from what I readily acknowledge is an odd perspective.
Like it or not, we can learn a lot about ourselves by studying how our enemies see us. Through their criticism and even venom, our enemies often provide a window into our deepest held beliefs in ways that escape our self-awareness.
How did one of the Jewish people’s greatest archenemies view the strength of the Jewish people? How did Haman see us?
I was inspired to consider this perspective because of an interesting statement by our chachamim. The Torah calls Yom Kippur, “Yom HaKippurim” – the day of atonements. Our Rabbis say that this name is a hint to a connection between Yom Kippur and another holiday - Purim. Yom HaKippurim is Yom – a day – Ke Purim - like Purim. Yom Kippur is the day that is like Purim.
On the surface, the comparison seems quite difficult. Purim is a day of feasting – Yom Kippur is a day of fasting. Purim is a day of celebration – Yom Kippur is a day of introspection. Purim commemorates a hidden miracle – Yom Kippur is dedicated to atonement. In some ways, Purim and Yom Kippur seem to have very little in common and in other ways, they seem to communicate opposite messages.
On Purim, we read the story of the Jewish experience in Shushan in which Haman wanted to annihilate the Jewish people. Haman had to convince Achashverosh – an insecure king who tolerated the Jews – that killing the entire Jewish people was a good idea. Haman used three arguments that excited Achashverosh’s paranoia.
- The Jews are a unified nation
- The Jews are widely dispersed and integrated in the kingdom
- The Jews have strange laws and customs
Think about it. Haman was right! Each one of these arguments on its face is correct! His observations are accurate! In fact, doesn’t Yom Kippur highlight the reality that we are a unified people, we are dispersed and that we do have strange laws and customs?
On Yom Kippur, we act as a unified nation.
- We pray to Hashem in the first person plural – Avinu Malkenu – Our Father, Our king,
- We pray to Hashem in the first person plural – Avinu Malkenu – Our Father, Our king
- We congregate in synagogues and pray as one people
On Yom Kippur, we certainly have unique laws. Yom Kippur is a day of abstention from eating and drinking, wearing leather shoes, bathing and anointing - a day of complete continence. In the time of the Beis HaMikdash, during the Korban Azazel – a goat would be led into the wilderness and over a cliff to its death.
The very qualities that Haman touted as reasons to annihilate the Jewish people are on full display on the holiest day of the Jewish year.
Haman’s premises were corrupt, indeed. He was evil incarnate. Haman hated k’lal Yisrael. He accused us of being a unified nation. Haman hated our mission to be an ohr lagoyim – a light unto the nations. He accused us of being widely dispersed in the kingdom. Most importantly, Haman hated Torah. He accused us of having strange laws and customs.
But in his accusations, doesn’t Haman helps us crystallize our understanding of three of the elements that characterize a vigorous Jewish community?
- An absolute commitment to welfare of the Jewish People
- A healthy relationship with the surrounding society
- A burning love of Torah
There is no secret to what makes a strong and vibrant Jewish community. Haman understood it and we understand it. I am so inspired by the Love of Torah and Love of the Jewish People that pervades this campaign and tonight’s dinner.
I am also inspired by the promise and anticipation of the future conveyed by the Operational Campaign.
In his Pachad Yitzchak, Rav Yitzchok Hutner quotes a story from the first Gerrer Rebbe. One year on Simchas Torah, the Rebbe saw two of his followers dancing fervently and enthusiastically. Both were great Torah scholars. The Rebbe turned to the person next to him and predicted which of the two would tire first. And so it was.
When asked how he knew, the Rebbe explained that one student was dancing in celebration of all of the Torah that he had learned in the previous year while the other student directed his energy to dance in anticipation and excitement for the Torah he would learn in the coming year. What we have already learned, said the Rebbe, is finite, complete and has limits. What we can yet learn, though, is not defined and therefore our strength for it is greater.
Love is inspiring. Love spreads. I pray that tonight’s effort will be contagious. May the love of Torah and the Jewish People demonstrated by the Operational Campaign be a source of inspiration in the coming year for our students, teachers and the entire community!
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