There is a Hebrew word which has fascinated me for years and years. It is a simple word, used ever so commonly. From its original significance and ideally holy sense, it has, in many applications, become mundane and ordinary.

That word is 'MITZVAH'.

"Do a mitzvah." "Thanks for doing a mitzvah."

Often, it is a catch word for performing 'a good deed' or even bestowing 'favor.' As positive good actions are, mitzvah's genuine meaning is diluted when used so superficially.

The word actually comes from the Hebrew word, 'To Command,' and that has momentous and awesome overtones. "Doing God's Will" is inherent in Mitzvah's purpose and thrust. It is a timeless thread which runs through the fabric of Jewish history and life. Some mitzvot are obvious in a moral oriented world, but some are incomprehensible.

On my journey to best define 'mitzvah' in my own mind, I finally arrived at the insight which opened for me a new sense of magnitude and meaning. Philosophers, such as Martin Buber and Abraham Joshua Heschel, lead us to a beautifully sensitive dimension of mitzvah...Buber and Heschel simply interpret it to mean....response. And what is a response? ....First a person hears a call. Then that human being is stirred to act.

Yet, there is some quality which is intrinsically unique....mitzvah is more than a command; it is acted out as a dialogue between God and each individual. Mitzvah transforms commonplace deeds into morally beneficial deeds.

Mitzvah is response. Each of you who are being honored this Shabbat is 'responder.' When called you are here ready to do what is necessary to enlarge and enhance. Our congregation is the better because of your hearts.

What you have done gives precious soul to the substance of the word 'volunteer.' I like the Hebrew term for 'volunteer.' It is Mi-nadev' and derives itself from a Biblical word which means 'to make a free-will offering to God.' How appropriate in each of your cases. A 'Mit-nadev' is generous, willing, and dedicated. No wonder you are here this evening!

Perhaps, this thought by Rabbi Heschel heightens your status you deserve for your efforts is what he had in mind when he observed:

We must distinguish between being human and a human being. We are born human beings. What we must achieve is being human.

Your achievements along the way compliment his reflection on quality living! And Martin Buber adds a thought which could be directed to each of you:

To begin with oneself; but, not to end with oneself.
To start with oneself; but, not to aim at oneself.
To comprehend oneself; but, not to be preoccupied with oneself.

Mit-nadev and mitzvah merge now....Your hearts have received the call and all of us, all of us are grateful for how you have responded. As God commanded Abram to 'be a blessing,' and he replied by deed, so too have you have responded....You are our blessings!

At the end of his book, The Way of Man, Martin Buber gives the answer and captures your essence. In explaining the ultimate purpose in life, he offers this insight worthy for this special Shabbat: to let God in. But we can let him in only where we really stand, where we live, where we live a true life. If we maintain holy intercourse with the little world entrusted to us, if we help the holy spiritual substance to accomplish itself in that section of Creation in which we are living, then we are establishing, in this our place, a dwelling for the Divine Presence.

To each of you, a hearty...YaSher Coca-cha-cha, May your strength increase..May your capacity for life increase...

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