Let's Celebrate, Florida

I’m in Orlando and I’m sitting in an candidate interview – and it is getting late. The candidate mentioned that she lived near Celebration, Florida – a community created by Disney. My mind starts to wander – I wonder if there is a Celebration Funeral Home. There is just no way that wouldn’t be weird. “Welcome to the Celebration Funeral Home – sorry for your loss – let’s Celebrate". How about the Celebration Emergency Medical Services – “Congratulations, you’ve had a heart attack”. Does the Celebration Fire Department bring marshmallows? Personally, after all these years of being a social worker, I want to work for Celebration Demolition. Let's just put that cake out in the rain.

Back to the interview

The Torah According to Home Depot

I am delighted to present this D’var Torah in honor of my uncle, Rabbi Myron Fenster who is visiting us from New York.

I thought it would be valuable to explore what we can learn about religion, faith and belief from our city of Atlanta. Thus, I would like to compare Judaism to that great Atlanta institution – Home Depot.

Like Judaism, you can find just about anything you need at Home Depot: Need a new Weber gas grill, it’s there; looking to find the exact shade of fuchsia so that your walls will match the carpet, it’s there. Time to insulate the attic; lay down new sod; replace the sputtering Hotpoint refrigerator – it’s all there.

But all of us have had the experience of going into the Home Depot, searching for some obscure part, perhaps a 1-1/2 inch galvanized floor flange, and wandering down aisle after aisle staring hopelessly at seemingly unending shelves of plumbing fixtures. We are rescued by an orange vested expert who leads us to the right aisle and shelf and, perhaps, points out that a 1 ¾ inch galvanized floor flange might work better.

Thus it is with Judaism. There is so much richness in our tradition; so much wisdom, meaning and beauty. But where do we start to look; what text; what chapter, what verse; what commentary? How do these ancient passages offer meaning for our lives? How fortunate we are when a wonderful and wise Jewish leader helps us find our way and reveals the beauty and wonder of our tradition. From my early days, my uncle, Rabbi Myron Fenster, has been such a guide for me. Since our family has moved to Atlanta, we have been blessed to have Rabbis Mario and Analia as our guides as well.

Close to three thousand years before Home Depot adopted the slogan: “You can do it and we can help” our Torah empowered us through similar words:

Deuteronomy, Chapter 30

11. For this commandment which I command you this day, it is not too hard for you, neither is it far off.

12. It is not in heaven, that thou should say: 'Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, and make us to hear it, that we may do it?'

13. Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou should say: 'Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, and make us to hear it, that we may do it?'

14. But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that you may do it.

With the help and guidance of great teachers and great rabbis, the wisdom, joys, values and essence of our remarkable Jewish tradition are there for us. It is not in the heavens – we can do it.

There is an additional linkage between Home Depot and Judaism. Like the Home Depot, all that we find within Judaism will enable us to find comfort and joy in our lives and in our homes. The teachings of Judaism are “not in the heavens” but they are here, on earth for use in our everyday lives. There is no “Lighting” aisle in Judaism, but there is no shortage of enlightenment.

Next week’s D’var Torah will explore why Judaism more refreshing than Coke.