In this week’s parsha the assertion is made that the Jewish people are “the children of G-d” (Deuteronomy 14:1). Interestingly enough, when a child is initiated into Jewish adulthood (full responsibility for their actions and their relationship with G-d), a boy is called a Bar Mitzvah and a girl is a Bat Mitzvah. Bar in Aramaic means son and Bat in Hebrew means daughter. Perhaps a more suitable title would have been “Baal Mitzvah” the owner of the mitzvah, for the young adult starts to “own” his or her action. What’s the significance of specifically the Bar/Bat Mitzvah title?
The common denominator of most ownerships and relationships is that they can come to an end. You can sell your house, car and all your gadgets. Fortunes can be lost or squandered. Friendships fall apart and partnerships are terminated all the time.
There is only one relationship that can never be dissolved. The connection of a parent and a child. Much can separate them but essentially they will always be connected. This is the message to the twelve-year old girl and thirteen-year old boy. The relationship you have with G-d is permanent and transcendental. Nothing, (really nothing!) can create a true distance between you and the mitzvah - which represents your connection with G-d. Even if end up not showing up to anything Jewish for decades – your random participation will be celebrated as a homecoming to where you truly belong.
This Shabbat is Rosh Chodesh Elul. As the month right before Rosh Hashanah it is considered a time for reflection and accounting. An opportunity to assess our relationship with our loving Father. He longingly awaits our return but it is up to us to take initiative. We may be bashful to approach, so in the Torah reading this Shabbat G-d calls out to us and reminds us “You are children of G-d”. A child should never be scared of home.
On Sunday, September 11 we will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Chabad in El Paso. The mission statement of Chabad is to broadcast the message that all Jews are family and to create a home for us all to serve our Father in Heaven. There is no membership – because every Jew in town is a full-fledged member by birthright.
I personally invite you to join us in celebration. See more information below or by clicking here.
Looking forward to greeting you then.