Something many of us (I’m not naming names) might want to remember while celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. First, let me explain: I am an observant Jew. A Conservative one. I observe Shabbat. I read from the Torah. And thus, I shut down everything Friday night. So forgive me for posting this at the end of St. Patrick’s Day and not at the beginning, but this was a message that went home with my fellow congregants from my shul this morning……
“Parshat Vayakhel-Pekudei, (for those who are not members of the Tribe, the “parshat” is the chapter we read today) describing Moses’ continued leadership of the people Israel, and his blessing to them, is read on March 17, 2012, as many of our neighbors celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day. Patrick, who brought Christianity to Ireland, had much in common with the Israelites and their leader. Born into privilege, Patrick was later enslaved and subsequently escaped his tormentors. He “felt no need to apologize for his flight or to justify it. Patrick simply believed God’s authority to be higher than his master’s authority. Furthermore, “Patrick felt the frustration of a stutterer. (Moses was a stutterer – my insert) Patrick realized that this very ineloquence was what made his message so compelling, for it made it clear that God had something to say.” (Jonathan Rogers, “Saint Patrick” – Christian Encounters Series).
I thought it was pretty cool. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.