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“…the tree of life…”
-- Gen. 2:9
One of my favorite parts of Saturday morning services is the Torah service.
In a synagogue, the leader of the service (or the rabbi) marches around the sanctuary holding the Torah, and… guess what!
Everybody stands! Each person is supposed to turn and face the Torah, never having one's back to it, like the Torah is the Pope or the Queen or someone else of great importance.
Like Oprah!
Wow!
All that... for a book!
Well, technically it's five books... of Moses.
Why?
Is the Torah really that important?
There is a wonderful exchange in the great 1979 film “Frisco Kid.”
If you haven’t seen it… see it!
Synopsis:
In 1850 America, Gene Wilder plays a rabbi fresh off the boat from Poland, making his way across the Old West, with the help of a cowboy-turned-bank robber played by…
wait for it…
Harrison Ford!
I know!
Finally! The comedic pairing we’ve all been waiting for!
That’s right, between making “Star Wars” and “Empire Strikes Back”… Hans Solo befriended a 19th century rabbi.
At one point, Gene Wilder’s rabbi gets captured by Indians (who conveniently speak English). The Rabbi and the Indian Chief have the following exchange:
Chief: (holding the Torah) You came back for this book?
Rabbi: Yes.
Chief: (to his people) I have read this book! (to the Rabbi)… didn’t understand a single word… Would you trade your horse for this book?
Rabbi: Yes.
Chief: And your boots.
Rabbi: Yes.
Chief: And your clothes?
Rabbi: Yes!
Chief: And everything that you own?
Rabbi: Yes!!
Chief: Even your knife?
Rabbi: I have no knife.
Chief: (taken aback) No knife?… Rabbi With No Knife… you are very brave.
But that kinda says it all... concerning Jews. Books are EVERYTHING! We’re not good with cutlery, but we’re good with books.
The stereotype about Jews being bookworms, nerds, smart... it's not unfounded. And there is a connection... we are called the People of the Book. The holiest object in any shul is a book... the Torah, which is painstakingly compiled, with calligraphy, by hand, on parchment, by a Sofer (or Scribe).
It is often the best dressed thing in the shul, with silver handle-covers, an ornate metal breastplate, bells, velvet cover, etc.
The Torah is called the Pentateuch, or Greek for “Five Books.”
It is also referred to as “The Tree of Life.”
Why?
Well, it is explained in the final lines of the Torah Service, as we return the Torah to the ark, where it’s kept when not in use:
"It is a tree of life to those that hold it dear, and all its supporters are happy
Its ways are pleasant and all its paths are peaceful"
The Torah is a Tree of Life—it should help us grow, change, adapt, like a tree.
The Bible is a way to improve our lives, to make our time on this earth more meaningful, bring people peace of mind and soul
… and create harmony among us.
Talk about Irony personified!
A book that SHOULD bring people together actually, more often than not, pushes people apart.
… even people of the same religion.
Picking apart the minutae of the Bible, whilst forgetting the over-arching message:
Treat others how you want to be treated.
Talk about missing the forest for the trees!
… or just one tree
… the tree of life.
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Monday, December 7
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