Is Hashem a Boy or a Girl?

One of my favorite weekly activities is to teach a short Torah portion lesson to Ramaz third graders.  For a rabbi, it’s great for the self-esteem.  They listen attentively and think I have all the answers.  (The only better audience is Nursery students.  They think I’m a rock star!)

Kids ask the best questions!  Especially in the Torah portions of Bereishit, their questions touch at some of the most essential issues.  Was Avraham Jewish?  How did Sarah hear Hashem?  Why didn’t Yitzchak and Rivka talk to each other about who should receive the blessing?

Last week, I walked into the lunchroom while the third graders were eating lunch.  They saw me, and one shouted out, “Is Hashem a boy or a girl?”  It is just the type of question I expect from young students.  They are excited and have passion.

Do we?

Two weeks ago, I returned to my hometown (New Haven, CT) to attend the 70^th anniversary gala of my local day school, the Southern Connecticut Hebrew Academy, where I was recognized as a distinguished alumnus.  Let’s just say, I am more grown up now, and both guys at the podium are much older than we used to be.

 

I was transported back more than 30 years ago to memories of the classroom, teachers, incidents, and questions.  And you know what?  It felt very good.  Those were the experiences that helped make me who I am.  Those are the formative experiences that have shaped us.

They also can continue to shape us if we let them.   

A few days ago, I met with a congregant, and we discussed a unique insight into Adam and Chava and the aftermath of their eating from the Tree of Knowledge.  The Torah says that “their eyes were opened.”  Daniel R. noted that, as we grow older, our eyes are opened to new perspectives and new ideas that make it difficult for us to recapture the innocence we had before that happens.  We don’t always appreciate those formative experiences when we were younger and life was simpler.

We need to close our eyes.  We need to transport ourselves back spiritually to when we were excited about the simple questions and sought out answers.

We should get in touch with our “inner child” or former student self.  We should return to basic yet important questions and see that they can reawaken within us that enthusiasm we used to have.  Why shouldn’t we have more of that today?

Take a look at your children or grandchildren or any children.  Try to see the world through their eyes and examine age-old questions through a fresh perspective.

Is Hashem a boy or a girl?  Why did Yitzchak love Esav while Rivkah loved Yaakov?  Was Avraham Jewish?   What’s on your mind?  What’s on our children’s minds?

Let us ask ourselves and each other the questions that will generate enthusiasm for a life filled with seeking meaningful answers.