My Weekly Drash (a mini D'Var Torah) - Ekev
Posted by Daniel M. Kimmel on August 11, 2009 | Tags:
Parshah Ekev has a message for those of us concerned about the future of Conservative shuls: "You too must befriend the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt." (Deut. 10:19). When you're at shul and see someone you don't know, wish them a Shabbat Shalom (if it's Shabbat), or make the clergy aware of his or her presence if you think the person has shown up for weekday minyan for a yahrzeit. Let them know that no Jew is truly a stranger at a synagogue. As the old saw has it, a stranger is simply a friend you haven't met yet. It's sometimes difficult to break the ice, so the Torah reminds us that we have been in the position of strangers ourselves. Treat that person as you would want to be treated if you walked into a new shul. What a great testimonial for any synagogue: "I was really made to feel welcome there."
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Daniel M. KimmelJoined: October 2, 2007 Daniel M. Kimmel is a Boston area film critic, lecturer and author. He does these weekly mini-lessons for the Mishkan Tefila Brotherhood's newsletter. You are free to use them for similar purposes. Divrei Torah (117) |
