Judaism is Not a “Hot Potato”!

Rabbi Gary S. Creditor

One of the fun games at camp was called "hot potato." When you made a cookout, you put potatoes rolled up in aluminum foil into the coals. When you took it out you tossed it to someone who then tossed it to someone else. The object was never to hold it yourself – rather, to pass it on. I remember that there was a game by the same name without the potato. The goal was the same – never to keep it, never to be caught with it. Hand it off as quickly as possible. Don't keep it for yourself.

I recall these games from my childhood whenever I hear people talking about Judaism to a youngster, particularly to a Bar or Bat Mitzvah child. (Yes, even though they are thirteen, they are still children. They don't drive. They don't vote.) The recurring phrase is "And you will pass it on to your children." Now the furthest thing that this boy or girl is thinking about is marriage and children. Perhaps unintentionally but clearly embedded and subliminally heard is the message that Judaism is a "hot potato." "Today you got. Tomorrow you give it away."

All my questions are summed up and symbolized by one: Is Judaism – or any religion – supposed to be "a hot potato?" Clearly, the answer is no! We receive it and keep it! For the rest of our lives!

Our faith is an adult treasure. Being children they don't yet have the depth perspective to see its magnificence and grandeur. Perhaps they have an inkling and a sense. As we grow and mature, as we face the challenges of everyday life, as we face the dual directions of birth and death, faith becomes something to grasp deeply and embrace profoundly. With a wider view of life, rituals speak more intensely and meaningfully. As we discern our limitations, we want to hold on to that which seems permanent and sustaining.

I truly believe that those who participated in the Adult Bar and Bat Mitzvah Program these past three years grasped their faith in a more profound way than our thirteen year olds can do. Age and experience give perceptions that youth cannot. Religion, faith, Judaism speaks with a depth and sophistication that is adult. We need to imbue our children with an appropriate relationship to their faith, and with the understanding that we all need to grow with our faith into a deeper adult faith that will nourish our souls for all our life.

For that reason I am starting another Adult Bar and Bat Mitzvah Program this fall which will follow the path of its predecessor and culminate in another most wonderful and spiritual experience in June, 2004! I urge and encourage all you to contact the synagogue office and add your name to the growing list of participants. Far from being a "hot potato" this program reveals the glorious majesty and spiritual power of our faith and beauty of its rituals and liturgy for us as adults. It will be a pleasure sharing this path with you.

My family joins me in wishing everyone a wonderful summer. Please remember that the prayer rituals of our faith continue year 'round with weekday minyanim and Shabbat services at their regular times.