What About the Other 603?

Rosh HaShanah Morning - 5775

Two years from now, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of our magnificent sanctuary.  When it was built, this space represented a new start for our congregation, and every detail of its construction was carefully considered.  The result is compelling not only for its beauty and its ability to inspire, but for the values represented by it in art and architecture.  I know of no other place like it anywhere in the world.

In every sanctuary, we surround ourselves with symbols and objects to inspire us to live rightly, and to stay true to our tradition.  But here we have some unusual and special additions, such as Ben Shahn’s stained glass masterpiece framed by the immense tablets behind me.  I sure would hate to carry those down the mountain!  

These behemoths were created to inspire awe: awe for our tradition, awe for the law and awe for the Creator.  The Ten Commandments, perhaps more than any other passage in the Torah, guide and even define us as a Jewish community.  Ben Shahn crafted these particular tablets to look larger than life, because for us, they really are larger than life.  Hear the words of the Eternal!:

I, the Eternal, am your God who led you out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
You shall have no other gods besides Me.
You shall not invoke the name of your Eternal God with malice.
Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
Honor your father and your mother.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet.   (Ex. 20:2-14 - abridged)

These are the watchwords of our faith and this sanctuary is specifically designed to remind us to of our connection to them.  Yet, these Ten Commandments do not stand alone.  Altogether there are 613 commandments in the Torah, – and that is what brings us to our topic this morning.  

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