TERUMA BIRTHDAY SHABBAT 5786

The Best Is Yet To Be

Today is my birthday Shabbat because it falls in between my secular birthday last Monday and my Jewish birthday next Tuesday. And with celebration comes the realization that I’m not getting any younger. However, I’m encouraged by the heroes we read about in the Torah this time of year—Moses and Aaron. When Moses and Aaron are about to go to Pharaoh to demand he let their people go. Suddenly, at that dramatic moment, there’s a time out in the story (Ex. 7:7) and we’re told that Aaron was 83, and Moses 80. Why, at the very beginning of their careers as leaders of the Jewish people does the Torah pause to tell us their age?

My guess is, the Torah wants us to appreciate that they started their careers at a time when most people have already retired … to appreciate the fact that even in one’s 80s one still has enormous potential, and capacity for living. 100 years ago, this passage about the ages of Moses and Aaron might have seemed like a bubbeh-maise (a fairy tale), because the average life expectancy was 42! But now, the average life expectancy in America is almost 80 and scientists speak confidently of the probability that by the end of this century, most human beings will live to 100 and some up to 150 years—replacing worn out organs with engineered new ones. Most children born now will live to see the 22^nd century!

This reminds me of an Israeli joke: A man goes to a life insurance company and asks to buy a policy. They ask him how old he is and he says, “75.”

“75? We don’t sell life insurance to people who are 75!”

         The man says, “But you sold one to my father and he’s 95?”

They check the records and see that they made a mistake and did sell life insurance to his father. So they turn to him and say, “Alright, we will let his policy stand, provided he comes in next Tuesday and takes a physical.”

         The man says, “He can’t come in on Tuesday. He’s going to his father’s wedding.”

“He’s going to his father’s wedding? How old is his father?”

The man says, “125.”

“125? Why does he want to get married at that age?”

And the man says, “He doesn’t, but his parents are making him!”

Do you know what George Bush senior did when he turned 85? He went skydiving! Dr. Michael DeBakey—the pioneering heart surgeon—on his 90^th birthday performed a quadruple bypass standing for more than 3 hours. That was remarkable, but I’m not sure I’d want him operating on me! That great chochom, Woody Allen, when asked what he would like people to say about him 100 years from now, replied, “I hope they will say, ‘he looks good for his age.’” That’s how it is with us. As my mother—who wore high heels till she was 91—was fond of saying, “Age is only a number.” So, while I’m getting older, I’m far from done yet.

Rabbi Simon Jacobson suggests we ask ourselves the following question: Would the world be any different if you weren’t born? Do you have an important role to play in the grand scheme of things? Do you believe that if you were to show up someplace or not, or make some kind of contribution or not, it would not fundamentally affect the world or the people that live in it?

If this describes you, let me share with you a message that can change your life. Mark Twain said: “The 2 most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” How do we discover why we were born? I’ve shared with you many times the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s response to whether we should celebrate a birthday: “Of course we should celebrate a birthday because [and listen carefully to his words] your birthday is the day when Gd decided that the world cannot live without you.”  

You and your soul are needed because every person has a mission to fulfill during his/her lifetime. That’s why Gd brought your soul to this world. Wow! Like musical notes in a grand Divine composition, each of us has our unique music to play. Your birth is Gd’s way of saying “you matter.” And you matter—not because you think you’re important…not because others tell you that you are…not because of your wealth, your status, your looks, your performance or your talent—you are important because Gd needs you … because you are an indispensable musical note in life’s symphony. Isn’t that exquisite?

But what happens—like me—when you’re getting a little older and not quite as sharp or fast or strong as you used to be? Does Gd still need you? Yes, of course He does. That’s why you’re still here! We may decline in some ways as we age, but I have found—and I hope you’ll agree—that my writing, teaching and speaking skills continue to grow. Hopefully age gives us all the wisdom of experience. And no matter what you may think of yourself, who knows how many ways each of us fits into Gd’s plan for His world?  

Several years ago, Rabbi Arnold Goodman of the AA gave me the most profound advice. Speaking of his retirement he said: “I’ll retire when it stops being fun.” So why am I still here? Because I’m having too good a time. You see, since you generously have allowed me to be a part of your lives, I’ve been able to touch more souls than I ever thought possible. Every day I get up, and I can’t wait to go to work. Now how many people do you know can say that?? Besides, on the salary you pay me, I can’t afford to retire.

But where will I get the strength and energy to continue? In today’s Torah reading, Moses relays the special command to build the Aron HaKodesh (the Holy Ark) wherein would be placed the tablets of the 10 Commandments. Part of that command was to build it with rings on the 4 corners through which would be placed acacia wood poles covered in silver for 4 Levites to carry it.

But how could 4 Levites carry it? It was inlaid with gold on the inside and outside and estimates are that it must have weighed about a ton. The Talmud (Sota 35a) asks this question and answers: Nosey aron et nosav, “The power of the Holy Ark was that those who held it were, in turn, upheld by it.” This is a deep secret. Those who carry the burden of the Ark of Jewish life on their shoulders are, in turn, upheld by it.

When you do Hashem’s will on earth and reach out to help your fellow man … when you lead a life of Torah and mitzvot … then you become an extension of Gd in this world, and you’ll be upheld by it. That’s where I get my strength and energy to be your rabbi. I get it from doing my best to do Hashem’s will … to help my every soul I can … to lead a life of Torah and mitzvot … I get it from the amazing wife/partner and family I have been blessed with … and I get it from you, my beloved congregation. You all sustain me; you enrich me; you energize me.

At my dinner in the fall, I shared the story of the Baal Shem Tov—the founder of Chassidut—that his holiest moment every week was when he davened the Shacharit Amidah on Shabbos morning. His soul would literally soar to heaven. The problem was his chasidim waited hours for him to finish so they could complete the service! A few of them came up with the idea that one Shabbos, they should go home, have lunch, take a nap and then come back before he finishes. He’ll never know the difference!

         They agreed. But next week, as soon as the 1^st chasid stepped out the door of the shul, the Baal Shem Tov took 3 steps back and concluded the Amidah. He explained to their bewildering eyes: “Yes, I daven with a full heart, and sometimes if I’m lucky I can reach heaven after a long time. But you’re my chasidim. You are the ladder I climb upon. As I started to ascend to heaven, I felt the very rungs of the ladder fall out beneath me when you started to leave.”

My friends, I love you and I need you. I’m going forward with you to continue to build this magnificent congregation and let me tell you: I never want to retire. I’ve come to appreciate that you are the rungs of my ladder, so let’s keep climbing together. As the John Lennon put it, “Grow old along with me…the best is yet to be!” Amen!