Shaking Hands With History

I can’t say anything this week without referring to those murdered by terrorists in Israel.  See here for a list of names and some biographical information and here for some thoughts I shared when the Henkins were murdered. 

Especially powerful for me were the words of Aviad Don, son of murdered educator Rabbi Yaakov Don of Alon Shevut: “Teach me how to be optimistic at times like these.”

Even with pain in our hearts, we seek a way forward.

Jonathan Pollard was released from prison today.

While supporting his release was a hotly debated issue in the Jewish community throughout the years, recently, there was a consensus that Pollard had paid for his crimes (serving more time in jail than any other spy for a friendly country) and should be released on humanitarian grounds.

As a youngster, I remember being fascinated by the Pollard affair.  I read the book Pollard: The Spy’s Story written by Bernard Henderson, the father of Ann Pollard, Jonathan’s wife at the time of his arrest. 

Another way I connected to the story was that Jonathan Pollard’s sister lived in my hometown.  I knew her, and, through her, I felt a greater connection to something historic (or history in the making).

I mention this because, however one feels about the Pollard case, this is a historic moment.  A Jewish American spy for Israel, whose case was constantly an issue when American and Israeli leaders met, has now been released.  It is the end of an era.

We study history, and we remember history.  How often do we feel like we’re part of history?

Rabbi Marc Angel shared some reflections about Rabbi Dr. David de Sola Pool, the Rabbi of Congregation Shearith Israel for 63 years until his passing in 1970.  Rabbi Angel describes how he felt connected to history by connecting with this venerable rabbi:

When I shook Dr. Pool’s hand, I was shaking the hand of a great spiritual leader who had begun his service to Shearith Israel in 1907; he had taken over from Dr. Mendes who had begun service to Shearith Israel in 1877. I was one handshake away from 1877! And just a few more handshakes separated me from Rev. Gershom Mendes Seixas who had begun serving Shearith Israel in 1768. I felt the weight of centuries, the incredible continuity of a magnificent tradition.

It is important to reinforce our connections to history.  I believe that how strongly we feel bound to history will determine the future of the Jewish people.  If we feel connected to the past and responsible for carrying it forward to the next generation (so that one day we are the past), then Judaism will thrive.  If we do not feel the power and responsibility of the past, then it will be much harder for Judaism to move forward to the future.