This is a very important day in your life, for today you cease in the religious sense to be a child. A few more years must pass before you can take on the fully privileges and responsibilities of adult life; you cannot yet drive a car, or vote in an election, but perhaps even more important you have by now acquired the faculty of distinguishing between right and wrong, and henceforth on you alone rests the responsibility to conduct yourself as a good Jew and a good man.
As a symbol of your newly acquired status, you read to us today a portion of the Law and of the prophets, and I should like to tell you something of the lesson which you might draw from what you read.
Both these sections dealt with one idea, that of building a sanctuary, a holy place. In the Torah, we read the detailed instructions given to Moses for the building of the sanctuary; how he was to take precious metals such as gold and silver, expensive dyed cloth of royal scarlet and purple, beautiful wood and sparkling jewels, and build a sanctuary to the Almight, everything being of the best. The reading from the prophets, which we entrusted to you today, described how many years later, when the children of Israel were already settled on their own land, King Solomon built a sanctuary where his subjects might sing the praises of the Almighty, the king of kings. The spirit which inspired both Moses and Solomon is to be found in the verse: Let them make a sanctuary for God that he may dwell in their midst. Exodus, 25.8 They wanted to erect a central place of worship to give witness of God's presence among them, and by beautifying it and cherishing it, give expression to their religious feelings.
Such a temple we no longer have. It was destroyed by the Romans many years ago. We live in the hope that the future will again see the restoration of the Temple in the holy city. Till that time we have to make an effort to see that the spirit that permeated the Temple lives on in us.
How can we do this? First we have the synagogue, which is a sanctuary such as you read about today in miniature. In every place that the feet of the Jew have carried him, one of his first cares has been to erect a place of worship to the Almighty. Your regular participation in synagogue worship links you with your community, and gives you the opportunity to be one of those who help the sanctuary in Israel to continue to flourish. For some time now, you have been a faithful and regular participant in our services, and I hope that you will continue to do so, for thereby the love of our service will be planted in your heart, and be something to which you can ever turn in times of stress.
Secondly, you must endeavor to make your own life a holy thing, devoted to the real values in life of righteousness and a love of God and your fellow creatures. Jewish religious practices are designed to help you in this, and I hope you will find inspiration in them. Remember the values that Judaism holds out to you are tried and tested, and will help you to make a sanctuary of your own life, into which the spirit of God can enter.
All this, however, cannot be achieved without some definite efforts on your part. Let us recall the very beginning of the portion we read today. In order to build the sanctuary, all the generous-hearted among the children of Israel had to make some sacrifice. To the tasks that Judaism places upon you, you must bring your own offering, whether of time or effort. You must continue your endeavors to learn something of the Jewish heritage. You must take part in communal and synagogue activities. Although some effort, some sacrifice, will be involved, you will surely find it will be amply rewarded.
Let me remind you how your reading from the prophets ended:
And the word of the Lord came to Solomon saying: Concerning this house which you are building, if you will walk in my statutes and perform my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I keep my promise to you. I Kings, 6.11
You are a builder. You have to build your own future, and in doing so you play a part in building up the future of Judaism. The Jewish community needs young men like you, and you will need your community. Your dear mother and grandmother are ever ready to help you, as are all your other friends and relations. Be a credit to them, and to us all. Be honest, upright, God-fearing -- then surely the Almighty will bring upon you the blessing he promised through the sons of Aaron, who ministered in the sanctuary of old.
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Alan D. Corré