When I was a child, I begged my father to take me to a baseball game. I nagged and badgered like only a little kid can do. He has absolutely no interest in baseball. Zilch. He probably dreaded the idea of spending four boring hours at Shea stadium.
But he took me anyway.
In retrospect, others in the stands probably thought my father was an interested fan; but I know he wasn’t. He was there for one – and only one - reason: To make me happy. Tom Seaver was but a conduit to my father’s end game: Deepening his relationship with his young son.
Appearances can be deceiving; and sometimes that’s a good thing.
Sure, ‘deceptive’ is a negative word; ‘misleading’ doesn’t sound kosher either. But how do you describe an exercise which appears to be self-indulgent, but is actually being pursued for a higher purpose?
Deceptively meaningful? Meaningfully deceptive?
Here’s a more common example: You see someone eating a tantalizing meal, and assume it’s in the pursuit of self-gratification. What if she simply wants to be healthy so that she can actualize her purpose by leading a meaningful life? What of someone who works in business because he wants to honorably serve his customers? Because he wants to generously support his community through the money he earns?
These individuals may look like they’re serving themselves, but their high-minded intent makes them other-centered and G-d-centered.
This is actually the stuff of life: Pursuing exercises which have a meaningful essence, even though they look shallow on the outside.
We’re created as angels, and we’re not supposed to be sitting in prayer all day. Our purpose includes engaging the material world, whether it’s on Main Street or Wall Street. We need to pursue human endeavors; the trick – nay, the soul – lies in the intent of our pursuit. Are we conscious of our Higher Purpose? Do we guide ourselves by a Higher Code? If the answer is yes, then the pursuit– notwithstanding its appearance – is very much Divine.
As a people, we are known by the name of our Patriarch ‘Yaakov’ (Jacob). Linguistically, the word Yaakov connotes ‘deceptiveness’. Not pretty, on its face.
But in light of the above, it’s actually deceptively beautiful. Yaakov is a name that shouts our mission and calls us to action: Engage the world, but – while you’re doing so – don’t lose sight of life’s Higher Purpose.
Raquel Watson wrote...
Thank you for this post and your sermon today, because I was about to really lose my cool today. It was so on point for how I was felling at that very momemt. I am having what feels like a Jacob v. Esau problem with the Jewish brother and sisters over at the franchise synagogue of the children of Israel. You see they are causing a lot of confusion for me. I used to attend torah read with Cantor Shana Omin and her crew. I was really enjoying my time with them and learning a lot, even elementary Hebrew. Then they asked me not to come back because I offended them and the entire Jewish community, according to them. Why? Because I had a case of the giggles during the reading of Lamentation, which by the way was on a hand out, not even on the Torah scroll. That’s cool, I don’t go to Torah reading, but they can’t stop me from going to synagogue to hear the word of the Lord on the Sabbath. Well today I did just that, right before I came to hear your talk. I like your talks because they are personalized and more authentic, in my opinion. Surprise, there was a double bat mitzvah. Any way, today was my turn to be disturbed.
Remind me again of what the Torah says about lying, excuse me deception. You see I stayed at the back of the pew and kept my eyes closed so that no one would be forced to speak to me or I them. I was not asleep, I was meditating on the words of God. I’m strange, yeah I know. But then I was inspired to fall in my seat. (Don’t ask) Judah, a member of the congregation who I have met and broke bread with in Kaddish came over and tried to wake me by calling me by my name then checked my pulse. Then he asks Bev Darvin Cwerner, who lives here in the Cedars, or the den of gossip as I call it; my name. This man already knew my name sir, because he called me by name just then. Should I assume he was being deceptive?
Furthermore, on the 6th Alyiah, the reader, who was reading from the Torah scroll mind you, made a mistake with the Hebrew, apparently, and burst out laughing. The congregation, Rabbi Schechter and Cantor Shana laughed right along with him. Moreover, Cantor Shana apparently also caught a case of the gigglers herself because she stared to laugh during her torah portion reading from the scroll. I noticed today that the Rabbi in your congregation took correction of the reader very solemnly. So, here’s what totally confuses me. I was told a year ago by Yolanda Cohen, (who I thought was my friend), when I started visiting that franchise that reading Torah from the scroll was so serious that the reader must be as somber and sober as ever since if they make a mistake reading the scroll the entire scroll would have to be thrown out and a new scroll would have to be purchased. Torah scrolls are over $3,000 a pop. So how come they were so nonchalant when they got in the giggles during the reading? Is that not a rule or is that another deception? I suppose they have enough money to go buying new Torah scrolls willy nilly, but that’s none of my business.
I don’t mean to drag you into my drama, because I recognize that there is some tension between your two communities from speaking to both sides, but I have to ask about my personal state of affairs so I don’t look like an ass. It hurts more when I think I have a friend and they turn out to be disloyal. Am I being treated differently here because I am Muslim? See I'm sort of conducting my own investigation so I can know who my "enemies/non friends" are. Like you said it’s all about the confidence and self awareness, so I can be me and you can be you. Excuse me Rabbi but I am very distrustful, given my history with folks and religion. There is sin in suspicion so I just want to verify with a second opinion before I amplify so that I can remain sanctified. People who take their religion for sport especially when all I’m trying to do is learn my truth, remind me of the terriorists who attacked or funded the 9/11 tragedy. I abhor those types of hypocrites in what ever religion they ascribe to. That is why I do not worship with the Muslims in Basking Ridge because their leader Ali Chaudry called themselves Mohammedeans. I may not be the picture perfect bible touting scripture quoting person, but I take religion and spirtuality too seriously. Plus you may have noticed that I am very passionate about certain topics of discussion. It’s a flaw, Thank God. Jacob was a striver, but right now I reading Ezekiel so the misgivings of mortals are at the forefront of my mind. I know I am not a member of your Chabad either sir, but please help me to understand what their actions mean in the Jewish culture. Please??
May YHVH bless you for your patience. Peace be upon you.
Ciao~
Raquel wrote...
Raquel Watson wrote...
Thanks Buddy I'm happy again.
Ciao ~