Dancing Lessons from G-d Inspired by Yogi Berra (a NY Yankee baseball player)

 Dear Friends,


As a rabbi who was trained at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, I have always subscribed to the belief that Judaism is a civilization.  You can certainly learn more about this by either reading Mordecai Kaplan's book, "Judaism as a Civilization" or reading a summary or review of it.

One of my takeaways is that we are fortunate that we are free to live as Americans and as Jews, enjoying the best of both American and Jewish civilizations.  

After 31 years of serving in congregations I now have the ability to choose what I do on Saturday mornings since I don't have congregational responsibilities.  Last Saturday, instead of going to services,  I offered remarks at the dedication of Little League Batting Cages in a local suburb in Northern VA.  They were dedicated to a man who devoted his life to helping young people grow through their participation in youth baseball.

In my remarks I quoted a number of Yogi Berra (NY Yankees baseball player) comments.  One which I did not quote is particularly relevant to us as we continue our journey from Passover to Shavuot and we count the omer.  (You can look up counting the omer  online for more details).

Yogi said, "You've got to be very careful if you don't know where you are going because you might not get there."

Although this is in keeping with Yogi's quotes that are humorous, I believe this quote summarizes many of our journeys.  As we travel through our daily lives, I hope that in the midst of our experiences, we will be able to find out what is important to us, where we are trying to go, whether we think we might get there, and what we really wish to accomplish during our lifetime.

In a world where so much needs to be repaired, I hope that our freedom from bondage in Egypt during Passover will liberate us to face the revelation that we will soon experience at Mt. Sinai on Shavuot.  Are we willing to think about what contribution we want to make to help build a more peaceful, just world?  

Recently in my class at George Mason University in Social Justice, students gave presentations on the need for improved mental health services and addressed the issues of homelessness.  These are just a couple of issues that require our attention. On our journeys, can we find the time and resources to help repair a part of our world that is important to us?

Syd Lieberman, of blessed memory, an English teacher in suburban Chicago, and a renowned storyteller once said, "Strange travel plans are dancing lessons from G-d."
May our travels help us dance toward the Divine and in the midst of our dancing help change our world for the better.

Travel safely and Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Bruce Aft

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