A MOMENT TRANSFORMS

Here’s why…Last June, I received the following letter.

Dear Rabbi,

I was driving along 133rd on Friday night, on the way to Home Depot to pick up some things to fix a broken toilet. As I passed Mission, heading east, I saw this crowd of people converging on the park. I slowed down and let a couple dozen people cross the street. While waiting, I asked someone what was happening. When they told me it was a Shabbat service, I was intrigued.

I am Jewish. However, I must confess that I am not very religious. I don’t belong to a synagogue and – quite honestly – that Friday night my thoughts were on overflowing toilets and not Jewish prayers. I didn’t even realize that it was Shabbat…that is how non-religious I am.

However, as I said, I was intrigued. There were A LOT of people there. Something compelled me to pull into the parking lot and come over to the park. A nice woman offered me a chair and a glass of water. I knew a few folks there, but it was a different feeling than I have ever had at a Jewish event. Without meaning to be disrespectful about anything else you do, THIS was joyful.

When it was all over, you came up to me, introduced yourself, and said “Shabbat shalom.” You may remember me. I was in shorts, a t-shirt, and said, “Thank you for letting a stranger share in this service.”

P.S. It felt wrong to continue on to Home Depot. So, I went home, told my wife about the experience, lit Shabbat candles for the first time in a decade using votive candles – is that kosher? – and took her out for a lovely, late Shabbat dinner. Again, thank you.