Talkin' Torah

MY friend Rabbi Yossi is nothing if not relentless. Although I'm not religious, and reject most of the invites for events at his shul, he keeps on and on...

He got me to agree to come to a weekly Torah discussion at our new neighbors' house. I call these folks the young billionaires, since they're on their way their. Ben and Rachel are in their late 20s and founded an internet sales company that just moved to Miami, and they have 300 employees and are growing.

Ben, and his brother Eli, are sort of modern, religious hippies --various and sundry young geniuses are always milling about their house, either staying while looking for housing in town, or passing through. Some of them are retired Israeli military types -- they smile, but I can tell they know how to kill me with the tip of their pinkies...

Anyway, Ben and Rachel generously provide food and drink every Thursday night (the first night of the month is for couples --the other three are for men) and Yossi calls me no less then 3 times to remind me (and my friend Jeff) to go.

Last night, the Torah section, or portion, was about Abraham and his sons and the meanig of marriage and daily prayer.

We discussed how Abraham, in addition to being the first monotheist (and father of the Jews) was also, in many ways, the father of all of Western Civilization. He was the first to leave his land, to go forth, to become a stranger in a strange land == and this concept of seeking and discovering opened the world to all its modern ideas.

We also talked about the tripartite nature of marriage --the feminine, the masculine, and the Godly part --the Torah talks a LOT about marriage, as it's the basis of our society.

I reflected on marriage, of course --what a serious business it is, and how so few of us take it seriously.

Rabbi Yossi likened the three daily prayers (morning, afternoon, and evening) the the stages of a marriage. Morning is easy --a new day has dawned, optimism reigns -- a marriage is all honeymoon. Evening is ok, too --the work day is done, the soul cries out for rest and reflection --marriage is going out for a Saturday night dinner and socializing.

But the afternoon, when the day drags --that's the toughest time of the day to take time to thank God, and, in a marriage, it's the long, boring, time --when it's easy to get untracked.

I thought about how many friends of mine have trouble with that part -- when the physical desire wanes -- and they realize they have to be friends with their spouses if the marriage is going to last...

Jeff, always one with humor drier than a martini, got into the car and remarked that all this talk about marriage (he's nearing the 25 year mark, like I am) makes him truly savor nights like we had --with only guys...

Abraham's heroism is remarkable. I relate to where he was in his life --happy, prosperous, things all comfortable and good --and yet he struck out, based on God's instruction --to an uncertain future.

I wonder whether I'd answer the call. Rabbi Yossi says the call comes each day --to do more for one's fellow man, to learn more, to give more.

Thoughtful stuff, for a Thursday night...