blogs/rabbi-huberman

About 25 years ago, author Robert D. Putnam penned a national bestseller titled Bowling Alone based on a simple but profound observation.

In 2000, he reported that while more people were bowling than ever—an increasingly small percentage were joining bowling leagues.

He shared that a once flourishing bridge club in Glenn Valley, PA had recently folded, even though its 40 members were still playing bridge.

In Little Rock, 50 people once gathered for a weekly luncheon to discuss ways to improve programs for the hearing and speech impaired. By the mid-1990’s, that number had dwindled to seven.

And the list goes on.

In short, Putnam devotes more than 500 pages, describing the decline in all the forms of in-person social connections.

And what has been the net result?

Long before America’s obsession with the internet and cellphones, Putnam describes Americans’ withdrawal from community associations—linking it with lower voter turnout, smaller attendance at public meetings and an overall disinterest in volunteerism.

During the 1990’s, a television program, Friends, offered an alternative to the traditional family based sitcom. Its popularity was based on the idea: “Pick yourself a good group of friends, and place your trust in them.”

In parallel, Walmart ads during the 1990s focused on groups of young people shopping together. Fathers and mothers, offering Trident gum, were nowhere to be found.

Indeed, we are living in a time where we are obsessively suspicious of governments and institutions.

How interesting that this week’s Torah reading leads us in an opposite approach.

In our Torah reading two weeks ago, we witnessed the giving of the 10 Commandments on Mount Sinai.

Last week, the Torah described an additional 53 commandments largely dealing with kindness, justice, equality and hospitality.

This week’s Torah portion, Terumah (Gifts), opens with an interesting question: “Where do we house the 10 Commandments?”

And God provides the answer, “Let them build Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.” (Exodus 25:8)

Nota bene. God does not direct our attention to the heavens. There is no mention of mystical chants or mantras.

God wants to dwell among us. One of my rabbinical teachers described it this way: “God was not looking for a Cadillac—rather an RV to travel along with us.”

It is a central precept of Judaism that God is not out of reach. As the Torah will later remind us, God’s presence in our lives is not that baffling at all. It reminds us—”God is not found in the heavens.”

Says the Torah, “the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.”

So, in this week’s parashah, a call goes out for gifts. And the Israelites passionately engage, offering gold, silver, gems, spices, oil, linens and threads, until the central gathering site overflows.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, of blessed memory, takes note of this, against today’s backdrop of “Me First” and “Bowling Alone.”

He declares this week’s parashah, as one of his favorites, because it describes the Israelites uniting to participate in a common project.

And perhaps that, in part, is what makes Judaism so remarkable.

While visiting America during the 1930’s, French aristocrat and writer Alexis de Tocqueville observed that our country’s strength is based on “the art of association.”

He noted that while America possesses a centralized government, its strength is contained in a group of people of common interests and values participating in community.

We as a Jewish people typify that idea.

In many ways, like the mishkan, God’s desert sanctuary, we are strongest when buck America’s current national obsession of “what’s in it for me?” and replace it with “what can we do together?”

Indeed, in the aftermath of October 7, the Jewish people has stood together with Israel. We are not unanimous in our praise of certain details, but there can be no doubt of our solidarity.

Often as I pass through the airport, and I see an identifiable Jew approaching, I greet them in passing with Am Yisrael Chai, “the Nation of Israel Lives.” And without pause that greeting is extended back to me.

How great we are when we build together—when we engage in the “art of association.”

As this week’s Torah portion reminds us, God can dwell among us—even when we feel at times we are lost in the wilderness.

God dwells along us when we are patient. God dwells among us when we welcome a newcomer to synagogue before they take their seat. God is with us when we volunteer, or serve on a committee—in person.

God is with us when we are the first to say “hello.”

Indeed, Jewish identify is rooted in the three B’s” “Behave, Belong, Believe.”

We follow our traditions. We do so in person. And when we behave and belong, God dwells among us.

This world is in such need of healing. God asks us this week embrace community—inspired by the first great project the Israelites undertook together.

It was based on generosity—a rejection of self—and a trust in the power of community.  

Indeed, while today’s apps may provide enjoyable connections, the Torah this week inspires us to consider that true happiness can be found when we unite and build something meaningful together.

For that is where God dwells—on earth—in person.

Among us.

Shabbat shalom, v’kol tuv.

Rabbi Irwin Huberman