blogs/rabbi-huberman

Which Tribe Do You Belong To?

Hardly a day goes by that I don't hear these words: "Rabbi, I'm really not that religious." Perhaps you have thought or spoken these words yourself.

It speaks to the fact that for centuries, we have defined religion in one way -- how many times a year we enter a building, sit on hard seats, and recite set words assembled by well-intentioned men more than two thousand years ago.

Perhaps it's time we revisited this definition.

Two thousand years ago, barbarian tribes roamed the plains. The Romans were subjugating smaller nations. A spring or summer with no rain could create starvation.

We stuck together, prayed together, fasted together, and regularly turned to the heavens and declared with one unified voice, "Please help and protect us, oh Lord."

How things have changed. Or maybe they haven't.

In this week's Torah portion, the first reading within the Book of Numbers, Moses is commanded by God to conduct a census of men twenty years and older, who were available to serve in the first Jewish army.

The Torah provides us with a tribal breakdown - and concludes that there were 603,550 men prepared to fight. And that did not include women, children, seniors and the Levites.

What is most interesting is the fact that the Torah divides the numbers according to tribes: Reuven, Shimon, Judah, Issachar, Zevulun, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Dan, Ephraim and Menashe. 

Our tradition tells us that each had a unique path, skill and destiny. Issachar was the scholar, Gad the warrior, Naphtali the free spirit, Benjamin the ravenous consumer, Zevulun the businessperson, Dan the judge, Asher the prosperous one, and so on.

This was not a homogenous nation. Rather, it was a collection of tribes - each with its own communal personality.

I do not believe that things are that different today.

Indeed, as I look around the Jewish community, I observe many tribes - many collections of individuals. They just go by different names than those listed in the Torah.

I observe a tribe of those expressing their godliness through the portal of social action. If see many Jewish people defining their spirituality through the arts. Many volunteer. Some are philanthropists, others scholars. Some are proud agnostics or atheists. Some are communal leaders.

Some define their Judaism through their connection with Israel. Others pride themselves on their attachments to America.

Many have made their mark in medicine, the judicial system, education and business. Others have distinguished themselves by being remarkable parents and grandparents.

The remarkable thing about Judaism in this new millennium is how many new tribes there truly are. And each one, like the ancient tribes of Israel, is precious, unique, and vital towards the continuity of the Jewish people, and the repair of the world.

The prophet Micah wrote twenty seven hundred years ago, that all God truly wants of us is "to do justice, love goodness, and walk humbly with your God."

The world is populated by too many across all religions who claim that their tribe is more righteous than the other.

Do you think God really cares which prayer book we use, or which language we express our spirituality?

Does God only listen to prayers uttered within a synagogue or church, or does God listen to our hopes and dreams expressed within any holy space we create?

Judaism, Christianity, Islam and other religious - to various degrees - have spent too much time highlighting differences as they debate what God really wants from us.

Yet this week, we can draw from the example of the first Jewish census to conclude that while there may have been many diverse Israelite tribes in the desert - there was no evidence of arrogance or discord between them.

It's a lesson we need to learn.

Whether you are an artist, philosopher, social activist, fund raiser, volunteer, parent, - or a member of any tribe, as long as you are on Judaism's ladder - you are part of the whole.

Within our congregation, which now includes more than six hundred souls, less than one hundred attend at least one service per month.

Yet I continue to be inspired by our congregants' passion towards Judaism, Israel, social causes, study and the pursuit of kindness and compassion.

That is religion. And no matter what you eat, how you observe your day of rest, or how many times a year you attend services - you are member of the tribe. Not only do you count, but we rely on you to be counted.

Earlier today, I contacted Delta Airlines to modify a reservation for an upcoming trip.

"I'm a rabbi," I explained to the agent. "This Sunday I am leading a multi-faith Memorial Day service, and I'm not sure whether my wife and I have enough time to make our flight at LaGuardia."

"Let me see what I can do," Evelyn said.

As I listened to her clicking her keyboard, Evelyn began to speak.

"What a wonderful idea - having different religions praying together," she said.

"Yes," I replied. "We're hoping to hear prayers from the Baptist, Sikh, Catholic and Jewish communities."

"How are you going to agree on which prayer book to use?" Evelyn asked, as she continued her journey of a thousand clicks.

"We've actually developed a communal service," I said. "Somehow I think that the prayers go to the same place."

"You should tell that to my mother," said Evelyn. "She tells me if I don't go to church each Sunday I'm not really religious."

"What do you think?" I asked.

"I do God's work by trying to get people where they're going - especially for this upcoming weekend.

"You put your spirituality into your work," I observed.

"That's what they say about me here," she said. "When it comes to change fees, I waive more than Queen Elizabeth."

Moments later, Evelyn announced, "you're all set, Rabbi. No charge for the change."

"Thank you so much for this," I said.

"Do you think you could talk to my mother for me," Evelyn smirked.

"I think she knows you're a good person," I offered.

"Yes, I think she does," Evelyn sighed. "Thank you for this fellowship,"

"Thank you for taking such good care of me and my family," replied.

"God bless."

As I hung up the phone, it occurred to me that there are so many ways that we can act in a godly manner.

Although synagogues will always serve as communal homes to pray, convene, study and perform acts of lovingkindess, I believe that we as human beings can do our best work within the affiliations of our daily lives.

Indeed, each one of us can be godly. Each one of us can be "religious.

As we review this week's Torah portion, let us consider which tribes we belong to. Let us use those tribes as a springboard to perform good.

Let us refrain from defining religion by frequency of fixed prayer. Rather, let us strive to improve this world - as God has directed us - one mitzvah - one act of kindness at a time.

For it is within the life margins, and sometimes along the edges, that God can be found.

Indeed, each one of us has our tribe. Each one of us can repair the world.

Which tribe do you belong to? And how can we use that tribe and that destiny, to make this world a better place?

Shabbat shalom, v'kol tuv (with all goodness).

Rabbi Irwin Huberman