I grew up in the USA and I’ll admit that as a teenager I was addicted to television. Morning, noon, and night--- I’d watch almost anything and everything.
In those days, you had to actually watch all the commercials and you couldn’t fast forward through them. One of the best and memorable commercials was for Alka-Seltzer- a product that helped you get rid of indigestion and heat burn. In the commercial, the actor is encouraged by an off-screen voice to try a lot of foods- at a buffet. “Try it- you’ll like it” the voice repeats. And he tries it all- and he ends up with indigestion.
So, what does Alka-Seltzer have to do with this week’s torah portion?
This week’s portion continues with the laws and rules from last week’s portion (Yitro). Last week, Moses presented the Israelites with the Ten Commandments and in this week’s portion, Moses shares rules and laws about slaves, punishments for certain crimes, laws on how the Israelites are to remain a holy people, and some dietary restrictions.
Additionally, the concept of the sabbatical year is presented, as well as the laws regulating the Shalosh R’galim (Sukkot, Pesach, Shavuot).
All of these rules are new to the Israelites—God is presenting Moses with a framework for a just and compassionate society. I can only imagine the Israelites’ trepidation in adopting these rules and laws. Butupon hearing these laws from God they respond: “Na’aseh v’nishmah...” (We will do and we will understand...)
It’s like the famous Alka Seltzer commercial: “Try it- you'll like it!” Until they try the rules and laws---how will they understand. How do you know you like asparagus, until you’ve tried it. (However, I’ve tied beets many times- and I’m still not a fan!)
In the early 11th century, the philosopher Ibn Ezra remarked that many of the laws in this portion focus upon just treatment for those in our society who are most vulnerable: slaves, minors, resident aliens and those who need to borrow money.
Ibn Ezra sees the Shabbat and Festivals in this way as well. He saw the Israelites as a people whose belief system may have been weakened by outside influences. Therefore the stringent laws of Shabbat and the Chagim are presented as a way to maintain Jewish life and identity. Centuries later, the early Zionist writer Ahad HaAm declared: More than Israel has kept the Sabbath, the Sabbath has kept Israel. His words echo Ibn Ezra’s sentiments.
Can the same be said today? Does Shabbat provide a framework for your life? Is your Shabbat observance all it could be? How could you expand your current observance to be filled with more spirit, meaning or ritual?
If you have no Shabbat observance, why not start with the candle blessing….or buying a challah. Or making a challah. There are many online resources to help you in your “try it, you’ll like it” quest. Try Shabbat, even if it’s a “virtual” experience.
Remember the Alka-Seltzer commercial, “Try it, you’ll like it…” Try Shabbat- you’re bound to like it.
Shabbat Shalom
Cantor Evan Kent