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Torah thoughts
G-d wants heart
Kahbi Schneerson
I his week’s Sidra, Vo-eschanan,
contains the verses of Sh'ma which
has become an integral part of our
daily prayers. The verses of Sh’ma
which discuss love of G-d are these:
"And you shall love the L-rd
your G-d with all your heart and
with all your soul and with all vour
might. And these words, which I
command you this day, shall he
upon your heart; and you shall
teach them diligently to your chil
dren... etc. A ndyou shall hind them
for a sign upon vour hand, and
they shall he as Tefillin between
your eves, and you shall write them
upon the door-posts of your house
and upon vour gates."
Have you ever heard the expres
sion “I have a good Jewish heart,”
of someone piously explaining his
lack of practical observance by
saying that Judaism means “love
G-d with all your heart and soul
and might” and that “G-d wants
the heart”? Those who declare that
their feelings about Judaism arc all
that matter are, first of all, ignor
ing a childishly simple piece of
logic namely that if you love
someone, you do what he asks of
you; if you claim to love G-d you
must do what he asks of you.
Secondly, these people are dis
torting the meaning of the passages
they quote. The command “Love
your G-d” in the daily prayer—
Sh’ma is followed immediately by
insistence on the concrete precepts
of “bind them on your arm, and
inscribe them on your door” and
“teach them carefully to your chil
dren,” so that they too will fulfill
“love your G-d.”
These are parents who unfortu
nately did not have an authentic
Jewish upbringing perhaps for
causes beyond their control, per
haps because their education was
faulty, perhaps they could not over
come personal obstacles. Hence,
their “love of G-d” might be some
what faulty. Nevertheless, they are
determined to give their children
what they were themselves de
nied—and one test of the earnest
ness of one’s love of G-d is the
direction in which he leads his
children.
Giving a check to a Yeshiva,
supporting a synagogue or other
worthy institution, is a fine start.
But the question remains: What is
he doing with his own children?
The father who rears his children
to “bind” (the tefillin) and “in
scribe” (the mezuza), to begin the
day with the proclamation of Sh’ma
Yisroel and to end the day with
that call, that father has carried out
G-d’s wish. He loves G-d with all
his heart and soul and might. Being
content with having merely cordial
feelings about Judaism; for “G-d
wants the heart,” is grossly inade
quate.
The parent who fulfills the
mitzva of “leach your children"
properly, receives the most fabu
lous of rewards, a second genera
tion faithful to its Jewish heritage.
As for those who neglect this mitzva,
heartbreak and bitter disappoint
ment is the crop they reap. We are
all witness to the tragic consequen
ces of neglecting this mitzva.
There is an unfortunate attitude
prevalent today that parents should
not interfere in the affairs of their
children, and should not express
an opinion to them. At the most
children might be informed, re
spectfully, as to what they, the par
ents, think is right. However, in a
democratic country, children must
grow up as they please! This mis
taken attitude has been dignified
by becoming an integral part of a
pedagogical system, a philosophy
of education. Scarcely a voice is
raised on the part of parents to
protest this tragic error.
The silence of elders in the face
of their own children’s complete
debasement, their acquiescence in
their children’s literal self-de
struction is, indeed, a tragic phe
nomenon. The opinion of surrender,
“after all what can you do with the
younger generation” is a farce. The
young really want to hear the truth.
They want to be told—but they
seek words that come from the
heart... .
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MEMBERS’-
IVe would like to inuite you to be our guests at our
SHABBAT FAMILY DINNER
Friday, September 5,1986
6:15 p.m.
No charge for
prospective members
Reservations must be made
for dinner no later than August 27,
by calling 257 0537. Seating is limited.
B’nai Torah is a Full Service
Traditional Synagogue. Bring your family
to meet ours—Rabbi Juda Mintz, Cantor
Edgar Neiss, Board Members & the rest
of the B’nai Torah Family and enjoy a
delicious dinner prepared by our own
Sisterhood. Services begin at 6:15,
followed immediately by dinner.
<5hmrelation
700 Mount Vernon Highway
Sandy Springs
PAGE 11 THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE August 15, 1986