the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Voice of the Lord
He calls his friends and neighbors together and says, "Come, celebrate with me" (Luke 15:6).
Kol hane'arim is Hebrew for "all of the young lads." The words refer to the collective aliyah (going up) of boys under bar mitzvah age to the front of the synagogue on Simchat Torah. It is a joyous event and gives the boys a sense of community membership.
In Western thought, we tend to see ourselves as islands, individuals who do not require community involvement. Personal rights existed in ancient Israel, but a sense of belonging to the community guided the overall outlook. Even salvation was pictured corporately (although personal salvation was taught, too). Community blessing and community direction were all part of being Jewish. Rabbi Hillel urged, "Separate not thyself from the community" (Pirkey Avot 2:4).
The joy of imparting meaningful symbols to strengthen our young people's faith and identity—reminding them that they are carrying the torch of a great history of redemption—has for thousands of years been a normal part of community life in Israel. Without imparting this, the posterity and mission of our people is jeopardized.
Let us focus on the importance, even necessity, of being part of the greater mishpachah (family) of Israel and the community of faith, and the blessings of belonging to this mishpachah will impact our children and our children's children.
...reflect on the value of community for my family, and how I can help strengthen the community of the remnant of Israel.
JR
The Voice of the Lord, Copyright © 1998 by the Lewis and Harriet Lederer Foundation, Inc. Published by Messianic Jewish Publishers, Distributed by Messianic Jewish Resources, www.messianicjewish.net. All rights reserved. Used by permission. No part of this article may be reproduced in print or on the web, or transmitted in any form, without the written permission of the publisher.
