Sermons & Stories

Shabbat Shalom! A brief teaching before we turn things over to Hazak – and this is just so good. Now Sandy and I didn’t plan it this way, but it’s amazing how often these things work out. In this week’s Torah portion, we find the following (in Lev. 19:32)

מִפְּנֵ֤י שֵׂיבָה֙ תָּק֔וּם וְהָדַרְתָּ֖ פְּנֵ֣י זָקֵ֑ן

You shall rise before the aged and show deference to the old.

Like usual, our rabbis ask lots of questions about this verse – How old does one have to be to receive such honor? Is it a mitzvah related to age or is it a mitzvah related to wisdom? And other such questions.

To try to learn from such wisdom there are a series of conversations listed in the Talmud about people who have lived a long time. Young rabbis want to know the secret of longevity. In most cases, the older rabbi replies with a few of the values that they tried to live in life. It’s all very respectful.

My favorite, however, is when Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi approaches Rabbi Yehoshua ben Korcha – both are extremely respected, influential rabbis (in Megillah 28a:15). Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi asks – just like the other conversations: Because of which virtue were you blessed with longevity. And unlike every other conversation, Rabbi Yehoshua ben Korcha replies… “Why are you asking me this? Are you getting weary or impatient with my long life?”

Who said the rabbis don’t have a sense of humor!

I don’t have all the answers for what helps someone live a long life, but I know that connection and community, friendship and support, learning and joy can certainly help. That’s what Hazak, our group for adults 55 and older, has provided and continues to provide for our community. During this crazy year, Hazak has continued to bring people together for regular programming and activities and has been an incredible blessing.

Tonight, we celebrate Hazak, and I’ll turn things over to Sandy Silverman who chairs a great Hazak Leadership Team!