Drasha Cheadle – Vayishlach 5764 AJEX SHABBAT Deputy Mayoress of Stockport My Lord Mayor of Manchester Mayor and Mayoress of Trafford Stockport Council and local church and mosque leaders, Representatives of the police, university and local organisations, head teacher of North Cheshire Jewish Primary School and guests
Shabbat Shalom and welcome. Two weeks ago I spoke about identity, the need to ensure that we create our own and not rely on our parents or grandparents and the obligation to be true to one’s self. Nations also have identities, something that makes them distinct, noticeable, and recognisable on the world stage. This morning’s service with its dual nature of commemoration and dedication, an act of remembrance for the past and commitment to the future brings in to question a further aspect of identity. As Jews we have a long personal history, we look to Abraham Isaac and Jacob, to Moses and Joshua for guidance and inspiration. We have an ancient homeland that we returned to 65 years ago. At the same time we commit ourselves to following the law of the land, to live as dedicated and loyal subjects, we sing the national anthem with pride and cheer on England at various events, living with the disappointment of being almost there and the few moments of euphoria when success is achieved. This morning’s AJEX service fuses together both halves of our identity. As proud Jews we honour our co-religionists who fell in battle and take personal pride in their efforts. In particular members of this community: Police Constable Harry Davies, father of Yeshurun member Norman Davies, Flying Officer Harry Landau, Lieutenant Nathan Levine and Corporal Sam Levine Yeshurun members who gave their lives Flight Lieutenant/Corporal David Joshua Levy, cousin of member June Rosen Sergeant Joseph Sager Sergeant Stephen Williams. As subjects we stood in silence last week and wept along with the nation and we do so again today. But there is something very Jewish in the British involvement in the world wars, which lends the story a Jewish narrative effect. We all tell stories; national identities are often shared in the telling of stories. The Jewish story is long and complicated; an attempt was made by Simon Schama on the BBC to tell this story, our story. What emerged was a story of nation living apart, bearing witness to man’s inhumanity to man, to G-d’s providence, to the need to hear the call of the victim, to offer help and ultimately to stand tall and proud as in those famous words of Mark Twain: as the “Immortal Jew.”
Long ago Isaiah prophesied: “I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations. To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the prison, Those who sit in darkness from the prison house. I am the Lord, that is My name. Our religious responsibility is to be attentive to those suffering and where possible alleviate their pain. Abraham was praised by G-d as one who “commands his children and his household after him that they may keep the way of G-d, doing charity and justice”
Britain’s involvement in the world wars demonstrates similar moral principles. Britain wanted to project the image of their involvement being for ‘moral’ and even ‘ethical’ reasoning. In the defence of liberty, culture and honour.The Treaty of London 1839 committed Britain to the defence and protection of Belgium’s neutrality in war. When Germany invaded Belgium, Britain did what was morally correct and came to their aid. The Germans had nicknamed the treaty “The Scrap of Paper” giving the impression that it was unimportant and unlikely to be defended/adhered to. That scrap of paper was the moral backbone of this country. During a nine-month period between 1938-1939, 10,000 Jewish children aged between one and seventeen were transported to the UK. Though these children were separated from their families, many of them would have faced the same fate as their families if they had stayed. The vast majority of the Kindertransport children never saw their parents again. It may be safely concluded that many of these 10,000 would not have survived the war and would have been victims to the Holocaust. The weakest, most vulnerable members of society were offered hope, life and a future because this country more than any other lived up to the moral standards spoken of by the Biblical prophets. Elijah and Elisha brought back to life one child each, this country gave life to 10,000.
In this morning’s Torah reading we heard about Jacob remaining alone at night and battling with a Man. One approach to revealing the identity of this man suggests that Jacob was battling with himself with his inner demons. Standing alone he needed to overcome his fears to do what he knew was right. He needed to face his brother and rebuild the damaged relationship. The Jewish story is of a nation living alone and battling to remain throughout history. Britain’s story in the World Wars was of a nation who was not prepared to leave others to face death alone. The struggle in both stories made a difference. Jacob emerged from his fight an injured man. Members of the armed forces lost their lives or were injured. Ultimately the fight in both stories changed the course of history.
And so we come together this morning, specifically on Shabbat, the day when we put aside what we do and realise that our weekday roles do not define the real us to remember those who paid the ultimate price so that generations can live in peace. The fear of premature death is summed up by Keats in a rather depressing poem: When I have fears that I may cease to be:
When I have fears that I may cease to be Before my pen has glean’d my teeming brain, Before high-piled books, in charactery, Hold like rich garners the full ripen’d grain;
Death robs us of the ability to complete our mission. . As the natural course of life is youth, adulthood and old age, so the growing of grain follows the natural progression of the seasons. For the poet to die young would eliminate his chance of “harvesting” the fruits of his mind, which will become “ripen’d” only as a poet ages. These fruits which are his poetic works, grant the poet fame as in line 3, “Before high-piled books, in charact’ry”. Here, Keat’s uses beautiful images in making us realize the transitory, that nothing is permanent.
Yet we can give those who are no longer living a legacy and keep their memories alive. We need and must dedicate ourselves to living with higher ideals. In the writings of the Dalai Lama he cites scriptural references from many of the world’s great religions that collectively express the idea that the highest form of compassion is selfless service of others.
Islam teaches: No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.
Christianity teaches: So in everything do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
In Buddhism the Buddha is quoted as saying. As a mother would risk her life to protect her child, her only child Even so should one cultivate a limitless heart with regard to all beings.
Judaism expresses the idea in the teaching of Hillel. What is hateful to you do not do to your fellow man.
The shops are gearing up to the annual festival of shopping. Christmas is on its way; and for us Jews it’s Hanukkah. They’ve both become times when we buy presents to give others, and there’s something beautiful about that. But when I think back to the presents I received, the pleasure they gave, lasted perhaps a week, and then they joined all the other objects in the cupboard. I can hardly remember what they were, now. But there’s one gift we receive from family or friends we don’t forget: the chance to see the ideals for which they live, and the sacrifices they make for the sake of others. Those are life-changing moments. So in the weeks to come think of the other kind of gift we can give people: the kind word, the healing gesture, the generous deed. There are some things you can’t buy in shops, and sometimes they are the best gifts of all. And if these are learnt from those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives, then their death was not a waste.
Before his death Moses advised :“Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you.” If we forget how painfully freedom is won, we will lose it. If we take it for granted, it will not survive.
My prayer and wish today is for the fulfilment of the words of the Prophet that Nation shall not lift up sword against Nation neither learn war any more. Our coming together this morning ought not and must not be a once a year cross community gesture. Let us commit ourselves to greater understanding and tolerance and build that world that we all in our own way pray and long for – AMEN.
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