Parashat Beshallach (Shabbat Shirah)
Shevat 13, 5782 / January 14-15, 2022
Torah: Exodus 13:17 – 17:16
Haftarah: Ashkenazim – Judges 4:4 – 5:31; Sephardim – Judges 5:1-31
This d'var torah is offered for a refuah shleimah for Feigel bat Kreina and D'vorah bat Feigel.
Lunch and Learn meets Tuesdays at 12:30 PM on Zoom and Facebook Live. We’re continuing to read and discuss the Midrashic collection Ein Ya’akov. On January 18, we'll be at page 12 (my pagination) of Chapter 2 of Berakhot - "Rabbi batar tziluteih amar hakhi" - "Rabbi when he had finished his [daily] prayer made the following prayer:". The reading may be found at:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vJHoKQJwoObg2ygnnXc7qIV5Adgcvswc/view?usp=sharing
Check out our wonderful community, and get lots of info about becoming a Chaver and our various programs, at: https://bnaihayim.org/
Rabbi Van Leeuwen has a blog which you should read at:
https://rebjasonblog.wordpress.com/blog/
Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source
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FREE AT LAST – THE LONG SHORTER WAY
“Now when Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although it was nearer (the short-longer way); for God said, ‘The people may have a change of heart when they see war, and they will return to Egypt.’” Exodus 13:17
The greatest modern leader of African-Americans, and America generally, was the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King and other leaders of the Civil Rights Movement did not simply guide African-Americans to freedom – they led the entire country to a new paradigm in which all Americans could become truly free and equal, through what can only be called a non-violent revolution.
The Civil Rights Movement was steeped in the language of Tanakh – the Hebrew Bible that Christians call the Old Testament. From the beginning, African-Americans identified with the Israelite slaves in Egypt. Through sermons, songs and more, they amplified that connection.
(For one of the greatest sermons ever given, see Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech - https://youtu.be/vP4iY1TtS3s)
Not only was the movement led by Dr. King committed to the principles of non-violence taught by Mahatma Gandhi – he was also an astute observer of American law, politics and traditions. He and his followers used the democratic American system itself to bring peaceful change to that system. The movement could have advocated violence – after all, the United States itself achieved freedom through a violent overthrow of British rule. Alternatively, African-Americans could have left the US – going to Canada, for example, or at least moving from the South to the North where, despite much discrimination, they would have been able to vote and participate in the democratic process. Instead, they chose to stay and achieve their goals through the system.
In today’s highly polarized society, we hear of those who advocate violence because they do not like the result of an election. Others who are dissatisfied say they will drop out – no longer participate in the system. They should learn from Dr. King, a modern-day Moses, who understood the genius of the American way. Freedoms of speech and press, the rights to peaceably assemble and to petition the government for redress of grievances, regulation of commerce, elections – all were utilized to set people free.
The Unitarian minister and abolitionist Theodore Parker (1810-1860) said: "I do not pretend to understand the moral universe; the arc is a long one, my eye reaches but little ways; I cannot calculate the curve and complete the figure by the experience of sight; I can divine it by conscience. And from what I see I am sure it bends towards justice." (Yes, Dr. King paraphrased this many times)
The “short-longer way” seems faster, but ultimately leaves one far from the goal. The “long-shorter way” takes more time and energy, but gets one to the true prize more quickly (see Rabbi Yehoshua ben Chananiah’s story at B Talmud Eruvin 53b).
“Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty, we’re free at last” – the long-shorter way.
Have a wonderful Shabbat of song and freedom! And a Happy Tu BiSh’vat! And a Happy MLK Day!
Rabbi Richard A. Flom
Rabbi Emeritus - TBH/CBM
"שתיקה כהודאה דמיא"
"Silence in the face of wrongdoing is consent.”
BT Yevamot 88a
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