Roots of Faith

Based upon the sighting of the new moon, today marks the first day of the 6th Biblical month – known popularly as Elul. The first of Elul is the beginning of a 40 day period held by traditional Judaism as a time of repentance, leading up to the most solemn day on the Hebrew Calendar – known as Yom Kippur (a Day of Covering or the Day of Atonement as it is most commonly known). (See Leviticus chapter 16 and 23 23:26-32) Tradition holds that it was on the first day of the 6th month when Moses makes his 3rd of 3 treks up the summit of Mount Sinai. On this day, it is believed that he rose early and climbed the mount with the two tablets of stone that would replace the ones he had broken when he descended and found the Israelites worshiping the golden calf. As many enter this time of repentance, I want to make a special plea for all of you to pray earnestly for our respective governments and their leaders. Members of the Synagogue Without Walls are from various countries around the world and many of us are concerned about the manner in which our leaders are governing the affairs of man. This week’s Torah portion contains the blueprint for a true government established upon Biblical order – a divine plan for human government. We find that this order is to be administered by human officials but under strict guidance and rules from heaven. The foundation of the divine plan for governing the affairs of man is described by the Hebrew word tzedek. What are we to learn from the Torah this week about true government? What part do we play in establishing such a government? Ancient Israel was given a charter and an order for a true government. It is known as the Kingdom of God and is to ultimately be realized ‘on earth as it is in heaven.’ The people of God have tended to veer from the plan and seek to be ‘like the nations’ when it comes to politics. The current situation in the US and abroad is presented as dismal by many. There are countless preachers of gloom and doom. Is this the end? Are we left with no alternative but to ride this down to the ground and hope for the best? Are we hapless victims being led to ‘hell in a hand basket’? I personally don’t think so and have a message that I hope will shed some light on the subject. Is the solution to the world’s situation depending on the leaders of men or of the men themselves? Asked another way; ‘Is the problem with the leaders or with the led ? ‘ I may get a little controversial this week, but perhaps that is what is needed to wake up those who slumber.

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