What I Like

Probably the most rewarding educational experience I've had since leaving the hills of Berkeley and beginning this Jewish endeavor came in the form of a class on liturgy taught by a former American living in Jerusalem.

Not all of my classmates liked the teacher. In fact, many could not stand her. But not me.

She set high standards and expected us to meet them. She imagined what could be and then did what she needed to make it what is. She challenged conventional notions of how things are simply by deciding that they would no longer be that way.

I cannot under estimate the affect she had on me.

But, over the last few weeks, I have become somewhat self-concious of the way that some of what I write in this space might be taken. I've begun to realize how others may read my desires to "stir the pot" of today's status quo more as ceaseless whining by a guy who can't get his way.

Certainly this isn't the case. I know how the world works and how things are and just how much careful dedicated wrk it will take to bridge the gap of how things are to how they might be. All the soapbox preaching that I do is while standing on the ground, hand in hand with those to whom I speak. All complaints come with the caveat that, sure, I don't know that I could really do things much better.

I spend my life working to change things; I am, by nature, a fixer.
But that also doesn't mean that there isn't good already to be prpud of. So, this fall eve, I give you a list of the good, of the things I like.

Here goes nothing...

• I like the wealth of Jewish history literature that is published in this country. There is no area of our past that is left withpit attention. The opportunities yo study are endless.

• I like the way that the Upper West Side's B'nai Jeshurun brings music into its davening. It's complex, liturgically respectful and absolutely beautiful.

• I like the Galilee. I think it is the moet beautiful place in the world. There is no place I'd rather hike, pray, or spend a Shabbat.

• I like the blogosphere, and specifically the chain of Jewish blogs of which I am a part. This is the wave of the future. An amazingly productive way to publish and hash through thoughts and ideas, as long as we continue to harness it correctly.

• I like Ha'avodah Shebalev. It represents the best (the fullest, most well-thought through, most intellectually vgorous) of liberal liturgical traditions out there. Period.

• I like Shabbats in Central Park, and seriously miss them from my routine now that I live in Brooklyn.

I like lots of things, just how they are. But that doesn't mean they can't be better. It doesn't mean we shouldn't raise the bar even higher to seek perfection. We never reach that, but it must be our goal. Otherwise, the messianic era has already arrived, or bringing Messiah is completely out of our hands.

I believe neither. Time to get back to work.

Comments

[David A.M. Wilensky]

My thoughts on Haavodah Shebalev: Where is Asher Yatzar? Where is the other half of Nisim B'chol Yom?

[zach]

"I have become somewhat self-concious of the way that some of what I write in this space might be taken. I've begun to realize how others may read my desires to "stir the pot" of today's status quo more as ceaseless whining by a guy who can't get his way."

This is ridiculous.

[anon]

David--I hope you know, for as many people as you piss off and irritate with your stirring the pot, you encourage and allow freedom to think differently from that many more...I may not always agree with you...but I must admit, you make me think more about myself, my beliefs and my Jewish future more then anyone I have encountered recently...

[Jesse]

Being self aware is hugely important. Hardly ridiculous. Don't let others decide what you should or shouldn't write, but also be aware of your audience. That's the first rule of good writing. Or so I've been told.

Consider it part of your own hagshamah as a blogger.

[Harold]

I also love Ha'avodah Shebalev. I only had the opportunity to use it a couple of times but I found it to be my kind of siddur.

[Josh]

Of course enumerating the "Good things" is hard to do...but when setting out to create a list...yours, and mine, are rather short. I feel as if this is a way of conceeding and saying that the fight is only half there.