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The Path Of Choice

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Parshat Ki Tavo: Deuteronomy 26:1-
29:8; Isaiah 60:1-60:22.

I

ENTERTAINMENT BY

n this week's portion, Moses
However, for much of the Jewish
begins to wrap up his final speech
community, fear of Divine curses
to the Israelites. The portion reads and/or guilt isn't really a motiva-
a lot like a Scared Straight narrative,
tor these days. As a result, while
as Moses basically lays out the most
there are some who are motivated
devastating curses imagin-
by adherence to the bibli-
able (going so far as saying
cal covenant as expressed
that the Israelites will end
in this week's portion and
up eating their own chil-
the blessings and curses
dren), which he says await
it embraces, a path that
them should they stray
focuses more on the joys
from God's very specific
and warmth of Judaism is
instructions.
more palatable for those
Needless to say, this
for whom guilt and punish-
doesn't seem like a cov-
ment are not motivating
enant I would necessar-
forces.
Rabb i Dan
ily want to be a part of if
It's time to start envision-
Hor witz
given the choice. There's a
ing a Judaism so full of
lot of pressure ... "If you
meaning, warmth and joy
do everything I say, I'll give you bless- that people will line up to be a part of
ings. But if not, I'll curse you." Sounds the communities we form, as opposed
like there's just a bit of a power
to attending with resentment, due to
imbalance in the relationship, which
being pressured by external guilt or
admittedly is to be expected given
threats of punishment.
that we're dealing with a Divine Being
With the High Holidays just around
traditionally understood as being all-
the corner, start taking stock of your
powerful, and that is biblically char-
internal motivations for being part
acterized as not only loving, but also
of the Jewish community. Reflect on
jealous and wrathful as well.
your own experiences of guilt and
Given the Biblical mechanism for
joy, and how they may have shaped
motivation, it's really not surpris-
your Jewish identity. Envision what
ing that for millennia, the primary
the Jewish community you want to be
motivators for inspiring Jewish action part of looks like, and then resolve to
have been guilt and threats of punish- go and build it!
ment.
Dan Horwitz is the associate rabbi at
Some examples of the stereotypical
Congregation Shir Tikvah in Troy and the
guilt and punishment-driven state-
senior Jewish educator for MSU Hillel
ments we continue to hear:
and Hillel Campus Alliance of Michigan.
"You have to go to Hebrew school,
son, because I had to suffer through it
when I was your age; and if you don't,
Conversations
you're off the baseball team:'
What inspires you about being
"Why don't you ever call me?" (asks
Jewish? What about Judaism
the Jewish mother while answering a
brings you joy? How have guilt
telephone call from her daughter).
and external pressures shaped
"How were Rosh Hashanah services
your own experience of the
this morning?" (asks the father who
Jewish community?
knows full well that his child didn't
attend services).

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September Gallery Auction

Saturday September 20th at 11:00 a.m.

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Since 1911

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Items from Estates and Private Collections in Bloomfield, Birmingham,
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and Fine Art, 18th, 19th and 20th century French, English and American
furniture, Mid Century Modem, Clocks, Sterling Silver, Art and Crafts
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www.SchmidtsAntiques.com

1943270

September 11 • 2014

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