In 2000, Robert Putnam published his seminal work Bowling Alone, about the disillusionment of community in contemporary America. The basic premise of the book is that Americans used to gather together for large group activities like bowling, and, now, more and more they have stopped doing so. The age of intensive civic engagement had come to an end, and we are all the worse off because of it.
Gathering in Judaism is essential and as Bart Ehrman suggests in his book The Triumph of Christianity, it is one of the primary activities that distinguished the early Judeans from other religions. By coming together we built strong bonds with one another, and have a distinct advantage over our competitors.
This week’s Torah portion, Vayakhel-Pikudei, reminds us just how challenging this year has been for all of us. The root of Vayakhel is Kahal, community. It begins with Moses convening all of the People of Israel to refocus after the incident of the Golden Calf and to begin in earnest to build the Mishkan, the traveling synagogue they would use throughout their time in the wilderness. They were gathering to create a place of gathering.
This entire year we have had to gather without a place of gathering. We have had to gather alone. Ironically, this has not only not weakened the bonds we have with one another, but has in fact strengthened them. The pandemic has forced us to reconsider the meaning of gathering altogether. Whether on Zoom, in parking lots, at the Transit Drive-In, or just on the phone, we have gone out of our way to find one another.
When Cantor Frank, Bruce Corris and I gather in the sanctuary on Friday night, it will be a stark reminder of just how far we have come since last March. Addressing an empty room will be lonely, but none of us in the room will feel alone. Despite everything that has befallen us, there has never been any doubt that we are one holy community, a kehillah kedoshah, ready to face any challenge in our path. Thank you for all you have done to make this possible.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Alex