February 11, 2012 | 18 Shevat 5772 | Exodus 18:1-20:22

Exactly thirty years ago this Shabbat I stood before the congregation. My knees knocked. My fingers twitched involuntarily.  One could hear my nervousness as I opened my mouth. My Bar Mitzvah? No, that was thirteen years earlier, again, almost to the exact Shabbat!  This time I stood in front of my fellow Jewish Theological Seminary students, members of the faculty and others who had gathered in the Seminary Synagogue in New York City and delivered my “Senior Sermon,” the final hurdle I had to jump over in order to be ordained in May 1982. Some who heard the sermon that day may have wondered if I was worthy of being ordained…but, nervousness aside, I think I gave a pretty good sermon that day. I still take a look at that sermon from time to time, and, I believe, it has stood the “test of time.” My message is no less relevant today than it was thirty years ago this Shabbat.

After the Israelites left Egypt and began to develop a routine in the desert, Moses’ actions created a problem for him and for others:

…Moses sat as magistrate among the people, while the people stood about Moses from morning until evening.  (Exodus 18:13)

Moses’ father in law, Yitro, who had recently come from Midian to greet the newly – freed people, saw the problem and its prospective dimensions:

What is this thing that you are doing to the people? Why do you act alone, while all the people stand about you from morning until evening?...The thing you are doing is not right; you will surely wear yourself out, and these people as well. For the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. (Ex. 18:14, 18)

Yitro counseled his son in law to teach and empower others who will help him to administer the affairs of the community. As Moses followed the advice of his father in law, he discovered three things:

1. He no longer wore himself out by seeking to act single-handedly
2. Other people were capable of doing things that Moses thought only he could do
3. The community functioned more effectively

Yitro’s message is a timeless one; every bit as relevant to congregational life as it was to Israelite communal life…and every bit as relevant today as it was when I first nervously shared this message thirty years ago.

Thirty years ago in my Senior Sermon, I framed in negative terms for my peers (and faculty members who were still listening…)

If only we Jewish leaders were affected by our assumption of too much responsibility and not those whom we serve, we would certainly say a negative “dayenu” – that would be bad enough!  But just as Yitro recognized that Moshe’s actions adversely affected the community, so we must realize that our similar actions will only do the same.

Thirty years later I can now frame the message in a positive light.

Healthy and meaningful congregational life in the 21st century depends on the engagement and ownership of those who participate within it. Without professional and lay leadership creating the means for such engagement and ownership of the congregation’s life, without leadership creating meaningful sharing of responsibility within a congregation, congregational life will not make much of a difference in people’s lives. The synagogue will be there in people’s times of need. But beyond such times, it will matter very little to most of them. If a congregation is to really make a difference, if it is to become a sacred community, a kehillah kedoshah, then its leadership must succeed in sharing the sacred responsibility for congregational life.

Shabbat Shalom.