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David Shanes - Men's Club Shabbat Service D'var Torah - April 16, 2010
Samantha Stegman Bat Mitzvah D'var Torah - October 24, 2009
Keith Liker's Blessing for Noah on the Occasion of Noah's Bar Mitzvah - May 2, 2009
Anita Szawielenko D'var Torah - July 24, 2009
David Shanes - Men's Club Shabbat Service D'var Torah - April 17, 2009
Carol Gendel D'Var Torah - March 2009
Marty Teal D'Var Torah Men's Club Shabbat Service - April, 2008
Phyllis Savin D'Var Torah - March, 2008
Keith Liker D'Var Torah - February, 2008
Matthew Shugart Conversion Speech - May 23, 2007
Freda Heller D'Var Torah - June 9, 2007
Natalie Diamond D'Var Torah - February 2007
Keith Liker D'Var Torah - January 2007
Karina Liker's Bat Mitzvah Speech on Mezuzot
Mary Lou Criqui's Conversion Speech
Mary Klein Conversion Speech - April 1, 2006


D'var Torah by Anita Szawielenko - July 24, 2009
Parsha Devarim

The question asked in Plauts Haftarah Commentary.
Who is to blame for our suffering?
The terrible destruction that the Haftarah foretells is attributed squarely to IsraelÕs own failings. It represents G-dÕs punishment of a recalcitrant, disloyal people. Israel is its own worst enemy.

In Jeremiah, the passage laments G-dÕs disapproval of the Israelites. Like many parents, when our children fail to do as they are told when they ignore our wisdom and cast aside our carefully executed plans for their future; when all our effort and hard work is recklessly taken for granted; like us, G-d is pretty mad.

An excerpt from Jeremiah:

Thus says the eternal one: What wrong did your ancestor find in me that they moved away from me and went after empty things...

This line sounds so familiar to me. Not the exact words, but I know IÕve heard something similar, probably in my teenage years, coming from my own parents, and I know I have said something to the same effect to my own kids. I think in any leadership position at one time or another, weÕve wanted to throw up our hands and say, Òforget it, if your not going to listen to me, then you get what you deserveÓ.

I always told my kids, ÒYou donÕt need to stick your finger in the fire to know itÕs hotÓ. But of course, they want to see for themselves.

Later in the passage, G-d says to the Israelites something that I donÕt think our own parents nor we would say to our children.

ÒSo therefore I will go on accusing you and I will accuse your childrenÕs children.Ó

Why such harsh words?

In our Torah portion for this Shabbat Moses told the heads of the Israelite tribes GodÕs commands about vows. (Num. 30:2.) If a man made a vow to God, he was to carry out all that he promised.

Is that even possible? How many of us have promised something, for example: take the kids to the beach, buy car for child when they graduate, visit friends or relatives, only to find ourselves unable to keep our word. If at the time we were sincere and really meant what we said thatÕs one thing.

But when we say things with no real intent of keeping that promise and this becomes a pattern; our words become hollow and meaningless. If the latter becomes the example we choose to set; we as the older generation are setting a precedent for all generations to follow.

Maybe this is what g-d means when making the statement, ÒI will go on accusing you and I will accuse your childrenÕs childrenÓ.

But what if we canÕt keep every vow and promise? Why would g-d make such a declaration? Should all future generations suffer? Should our children bare the burden of our mistakes, our hasty promises to fulfill grandiose ideals or piety? Or even those vows made with the most honest of intentions? I donÕt think so.

ThereÕs a saying, Water seeks its own level. If we think for ourselves, and take personal responsibility for our actions, then I believe we will seek out others who are like minded. If we let ourselves be swayed because we donÕt want to make decisions or are passive, thereÕs a chance weÕll be lead to do things we might not otherwise. Perhaps this is what happened with many of the Israelites; instead of thinking for themselves they passively followed the easiest path.

My daughter Bridgette would often say to me ÒMom, IÕm not Rachel IÕm my own person. Why should I get the exact same treatment? I should be punished or rewarded for my actions not someone elseÕsÓ.

I think one valuable lesson from this weeks Torah and Haftarah portions is personal responsibility and ethics.

From Kevin Colby

ÒHaving accountability allows you to respond positively to unexpected results. It is an attitude that shows the presence of inner strengths and optimism. This attitude will prevent you from self-destructive habitsÓ.

In closing, this quote from Jonas Salk:

Our greatest responsibility is to be good ancestors.

Shabbat Shalom