Rabbi's Reflections

One of the most memorable and favorite parts of almost any Seder is when a young person is sent to open a door for the Prophet Elijah.  How many times does one of the guests enter the doorway to a roomful of giggles.

By the time we send a child to the door, it is already late and participants are eager for the Seder to conclude.  It is rare those gathered take a moment to ponder the true meaning of this unique ritual.

Traditionally, the prophet Elijah is to return to earth in order to announce the coming of the Messiah.  That is all fine well and good but we are not Orthodox.  As Reform Jews, we do not believe in the coming of a Messiah.  Instead, we see the mitzvah of ‘tikun olam’ (repair of the world)  as the path to creating a Messianic Kingdom for all who inhabit the earth.  We take the biblical prerogative of being a ‘light unto the nations’ to be at the heart of our spiritual motivation.  In Judaism, there is a fine line, if any line at all, between faith and action.

Hence, when we send that child to the door, we are hoping that the spirit of Elijah will enter to inspire all assembles\d to greater acts of tzedakah and gemilut chesed (charity and loving kindness).  As we sing, bimheira v’yameinu (come speedily in our day), we are reminded to make the words of our Seder action points for a better world.

Happy Passover,

Rabbi Harvey Winokur

There has been a great deal of saber rattling lately with regard to the increased

possibility that Iran will be able to build a nuclear device in the near future and that Israel may target the Iranian site for an attack.  Recently, I read that Israel is unlikely to inform the U.S. of its final preparations and that Iran will be less than forthcoming in the future as well.

Suffice it to say, I was pleased when I heard that the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences is on top of the situation.  Choosing the Iranian produced ‘Separation’ has apparently opened the doors to closer diplomatic ties between American and Iranian filmmakers.  Seeing this opening, the U.S. State Department has decided to let the Academy negotiate for them to build on the success of their Oscar choice.

Apparently, the key to negotiating a peaceful solution has come down to agreeing to giving preference to Israel in next year’s Foreign Film category while supporting Iran’s request to establish a major film studio in Tehran next year.  And there is even talk of an Israeli-Iranian film collaboration.

While all this may seem a bit farfetched, consider that this year’s winner in the in the Best Picture Category was a silent film (the first since 1929) and the Best Actor went to a Frenchman who only uttered two words in the entire film.That being said, it is obvious that the Academy knows something that we do not and that they have an insight into international relations that is invaluable for world peace.

The fact that the Oscars were hosted for the ninth time by a Jewish individual and that when the Iranian winner was announced that the first face that was focused on was Steven Spielberg has to make you believe that Mideast miracles can occur.

I for one am looking forward to seeing Amidanijad at the Oscars in the front row next to Brad and Angelina. Aren’t you?

Happy Purim (SPOOF)

Rabbi Harvey J. Winokur