Sometimes people ask me how I come up with sermon ideas. I’m not always sure if the question is meant as a compliment…
But I figured, why not share the backstory of how I came up with today’s topic which is about “the power of the people." Specifically, our power and responsibility, from a Jewish perspective and a civics perspective, to create positive change.
So here goes. Part one of the backstory.
I was reading about the Irish referendum on abortion and thinking - how interesting that by majority vote, a nation decided to overturn centuries of anti-abortion sentiment and policy. I read more about that and discovered that for many people, this was part of an effort to increase women’s rights and to bring Ireland in line with the policies of more progressive European countries. Of course it involved pushing back against Church teachings, which many found repressive in this area and others.
Part two. The Torah reading describes a moment when Moses acknowledges how great it would be if the entire people would be prophets, filled with God’s spirit.
In thinking about this part of the Torah reading, I imagined it would be worthwhile to explore what it means for the people - not just the appointed leaders - to participate in charting a course for the community.
Part three. This was the cosmic clincher, a sign from above. De and I were watching the final episode of Madam Secretary (a TV show which presents an optimistic view of what government can look like) and the climax of the final episode hinges upon the Secretary convincing the president to bring a tricky international policy to the people and to let them have their say. The people, in turns out, support a policy that is measured and reasonable.
I saw that and said, Fate. Bashert. Resmat. This is my topic. The positive impact that "the people" can have in multiple realms, if only we are decent, well-informed and courageous.
Biblical tradition recognizes the power of the people at several critical junctures.
In Egypt, the collective anguish of the people when they are enslaved motivates God to remember the covenant. וגם אני שמעתי את נאקת בני ישראל V’gam ani shamati et na’akat benei yisra’el. God says, I hear the groaning of the people. Their collective expression of pain has the power to move God to action.
At Sinai, the collective acceptance of the people is a cornerstone of God’s successful revelation. ויענו כל העם יחדו ויאמרו Vaya’anu khol ha’am yahdav - all the people together say that they will fulfill the commands that God has revealed.
In the wilderness, as we read this morning, Moses is overwhelmed and disheartened. God encourages Moses to share the ruah, to share God’s spirit, with 70 elders, which Moses does. We are told ויתנבאו במחנה vayitnab’u bamachane - they had some kind of ecstatic prophetic experience within the camp.
Two of the elders keep on going - they keep experiencing God’s spirit - they must have been really into it. Joshua tells Moses to stop them and Moses says, ומי יתן כל עם ה׳ נביאים umee yeeten kol am adonai nevee'eem If only the entire people were nevi’im, prophets. If only God’s spirit would rest on all of them.
Well - it’s not so simple and the Torah will deal, in this portion and elsewhere, with the parameters of authority. There is a sense that too much shared authority might get chaotic.
But the sentiments - If only God’s spirit would rest on everyone. If only everyone would be a prophet - I interpret as a recognition of, a celebration of, the actual and potential power of the people.
Years after Moses makes his empowering statement, a group of women will ask him if they can inherit their father’s land. Ordinarily land was passed down to sons, and their father had no sons, only daughters.
Centuries later, people will ask their rabbis what to do if people are too poor to acquire wine and food for the seder.
They will ask what women are supposed to do when they want to divorce their husbands and the husbands refuse.
Many centuries after that, in the 20th century, in fact, people will ask whether women can lead prayer and serve as rabbis.
They will ask whether gay and lesbian and trans people can marry and participate fully in the life of the community and serve as rabbis.
The NY Times featured an article (Edsall, "Trump Against the Liberal Tide") about recent changes in attitudes toward a variety of issues and noted that overall, “the people” are becoming more accepting of the need to give everyone equal opportunity. The article shared the following about a study on attitudes toward immigration:
People were asked to say whether they agree with statement A or statement B about immigration:
A. “Immigration adds to our character and strengthens the United States because it brings diversity, new workers, and new creative talent to this country.”
B. “Immigration detracts from our character and weakens the United States because it puts too many burdens on government services, causes language barriers, and creates housing problems.”
The percentage of all US voters choosing A has grown steadily from 41 in 2005 to 64 in 2017. The growth in positive regard for immigration has been found across the board, including Democrats and Republicans.
In order for “we the people” to exert positive influence, we need to be well-informed about the issues and about the means of influence at our disposal.
Ultimately there is ample evidence, in Jewish tradition and in the world at large, that given a choice between individual leaders left unchecked and leaders and the people in fruitful dialogue with one another, we’re much better off when there is recognition of, and credence given to, the prophetic power of the people.
In this regard, I recommend the recent book, Fascism, by real-life former Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright.
Borrowing from the language of Moses’s generous aspiration, I pray:
כי יתן ה׳ את רוחו עלינו Ki yiten adonai et ruho aleinu - that God will continue to share ruach with all of us. That we recognize the importance of being well-informed about religious and civic issues so that our influence is most wise and effective. And (a big prayer here) that our leaders have the security and wisdom to accept positive advocacy and intervention.
Moses understood that the power of the people need not be a threat; it could, properly channeled, be an asset.
In response to Moses’s humble and insightful invitation, in our religious communities civic realms, we should continue to recognize and elevate our power, the power of the people.
Originally shared with the Temple Israel of Great Neck community on June 2, 2018
But I figured, why not share the backstory of how I came up with today’s topic which is about “the power of the people." Specifically, our power and responsibility, from a Jewish perspective and a civics perspective, to create positive change.
So here goes. Part one of the backstory.
I was reading about the Irish referendum on abortion and thinking - how interesting that by majority vote, a nation decided to overturn centuries of anti-abortion sentiment and policy. I read more about that and discovered that for many people, this was part of an effort to increase women’s rights and to bring Ireland in line with the policies of more progressive European countries. Of course it involved pushing back against Church teachings, which many found repressive in this area and others.
Part two. The Torah reading describes a moment when Moses acknowledges how great it would be if the entire people would be prophets, filled with God’s spirit.
In thinking about this part of the Torah reading, I imagined it would be worthwhile to explore what it means for the people - not just the appointed leaders - to participate in charting a course for the community.
Part three. This was the cosmic clincher, a sign from above. De and I were watching the final episode of Madam Secretary (a TV show which presents an optimistic view of what government can look like) and the climax of the final episode hinges upon the Secretary convincing the president to bring a tricky international policy to the people and to let them have their say. The people, in turns out, support a policy that is measured and reasonable.
I saw that and said, Fate. Bashert. Resmat. This is my topic. The positive impact that "the people" can have in multiple realms, if only we are decent, well-informed and courageous.
Biblical tradition recognizes the power of the people at several critical junctures.
In Egypt, the collective anguish of the people when they are enslaved motivates God to remember the covenant. וגם אני שמעתי את נאקת בני ישראל V’gam ani shamati et na’akat benei yisra’el. God says, I hear the groaning of the people. Their collective expression of pain has the power to move God to action.
At Sinai, the collective acceptance of the people is a cornerstone of God’s successful revelation. ויענו כל העם יחדו ויאמרו Vaya’anu khol ha’am yahdav - all the people together say that they will fulfill the commands that God has revealed.
In the wilderness, as we read this morning, Moses is overwhelmed and disheartened. God encourages Moses to share the ruah, to share God’s spirit, with 70 elders, which Moses does. We are told ויתנבאו במחנה vayitnab’u bamachane - they had some kind of ecstatic prophetic experience within the camp.
Two of the elders keep on going - they keep experiencing God’s spirit - they must have been really into it. Joshua tells Moses to stop them and Moses says, ומי יתן כל עם ה׳ נביאים umee yeeten kol am adonai nevee'eem If only the entire people were nevi’im, prophets. If only God’s spirit would rest on all of them.
Well - it’s not so simple and the Torah will deal, in this portion and elsewhere, with the parameters of authority. There is a sense that too much shared authority might get chaotic.
But the sentiments - If only God’s spirit would rest on everyone. If only everyone would be a prophet - I interpret as a recognition of, a celebration of, the actual and potential power of the people.
Years after Moses makes his empowering statement, a group of women will ask him if they can inherit their father’s land. Ordinarily land was passed down to sons, and their father had no sons, only daughters.
Centuries later, people will ask their rabbis what to do if people are too poor to acquire wine and food for the seder.
They will ask what women are supposed to do when they want to divorce their husbands and the husbands refuse.
Many centuries after that, in the 20th century, in fact, people will ask whether women can lead prayer and serve as rabbis.
They will ask whether gay and lesbian and trans people can marry and participate fully in the life of the community and serve as rabbis.
The NY Times featured an article (Edsall, "Trump Against the Liberal Tide") about recent changes in attitudes toward a variety of issues and noted that overall, “the people” are becoming more accepting of the need to give everyone equal opportunity. The article shared the following about a study on attitudes toward immigration:
People were asked to say whether they agree with statement A or statement B about immigration:
A. “Immigration adds to our character and strengthens the United States because it brings diversity, new workers, and new creative talent to this country.”
B. “Immigration detracts from our character and weakens the United States because it puts too many burdens on government services, causes language barriers, and creates housing problems.”
The percentage of all US voters choosing A has grown steadily from 41 in 2005 to 64 in 2017. The growth in positive regard for immigration has been found across the board, including Democrats and Republicans.
In order for “we the people” to exert positive influence, we need to be well-informed about the issues and about the means of influence at our disposal.
Ultimately there is ample evidence, in Jewish tradition and in the world at large, that given a choice between individual leaders left unchecked and leaders and the people in fruitful dialogue with one another, we’re much better off when there is recognition of, and credence given to, the prophetic power of the people.
In this regard, I recommend the recent book, Fascism, by real-life former Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright.
Borrowing from the language of Moses’s generous aspiration, I pray:
כי יתן ה׳ את רוחו עלינו Ki yiten adonai et ruho aleinu - that God will continue to share ruach with all of us. That we recognize the importance of being well-informed about religious and civic issues so that our influence is most wise and effective. And (a big prayer here) that our leaders have the security and wisdom to accept positive advocacy and intervention.
Moses understood that the power of the people need not be a threat; it could, properly channeled, be an asset.
In response to Moses’s humble and insightful invitation, in our religious communities civic realms, we should continue to recognize and elevate our power, the power of the people.
Originally shared with the Temple Israel of Great Neck community on June 2, 2018
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