RABBINIC REFLECTIONS
Stuart A. Pollack (triplechai@msn.com)

Recently, an article appeared in the newspapers that proclaimed that new research links having a larger brain to living a longer life. I quote: “Researchers from the Center for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications in Barcelona studied nearly 500 species of mammals in order to better understand the connection between brain size, body size and longevity. Results showed the mammals with large brains in relationship to their body tended to have longer reproductive cycles and lifespans; their brains took longer to develop as well.

As for the human brain, with the exception of certain regions such as the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, the male brain is larger than the female brain. These size variations don’t seem to tell us much about our lives to come. Brain size within the human species is not known to have any definite impact on longevity, intelligence or anything else,”

It came as a relief to me to know that brain size in the human species is not related to longevity.Yet, since human life began, there has been a search for longevity. Our Bible begins with the story of Adam and Eve being condemned to mortality because they ate of the “tree of knowledge of good and evil.” From the beginning of human endeavor there has been an almost neurotic tendency to want to live longer and, according to recent scientific research, better. Major themes of Greek and Roman mythology also center on immortality.

The Bible does not have a systematic concept of immortality or the afterlife.Two thousand years ago, the “afterlife” was introduced by the Pharisees in rabbinic literature. The rabbis invented the notion of the immortality of the soul. Hence, Judaism includes some idea of “living forever” even if it is in some unformed and nebulously conceived afterlife.

In the 15th Century, the search for longevity forced the explorer Ponce de Leon to travel from Spain to Florida to find the Fountain of Youth. He never, at least not in Florida, discovered the Fountain of Youth although there are many who attest to the fact that you live longer in Florida.

And, of course, the legends of the vampire, which are so popular today, are fantasies of living forever with super human powers.

When we search the pages of the Bible, we discover an answer to longevity. In the Fifth book of the Torah, Deuteronomy, which we read at this time of year, the Shema, the V’ahavta, and the second installment of the Ten Commandments are included. The Ten Commandments appear twice in the Bible, first in the Book of Exodus and then in the Book of Deuteronomy.

In the Ten Commandments, we discover the Bible’s prescription for long life. It is not mystical and not as wonderful as a fountain of youth. It does not even indicate eating or drinking some potion or magical food. It is unfortunately somewhat mundane and it won’t appear in any research study. It says:“Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may long endure, and that you may fare well, in the land that the Lord your God is assigning to you.”

So the answer to longevity in the Bible is to “honor your father and mother.” How could that possibly be the magic cure for a long life? How could that possibly effect one’s days on this planet?

For the answer to that question we look to the Commentaries. The great Rashi of the 11th Century states that when one honors father and mother, there is nothing to regret. Whether we love parents or not is not the concern of the Bible; it is to honor them, to treat them with a sense of respect. When we honor our parents, we carry no guilt or obsession over our relationship with them. Anytime there is less stress in life, we realize a longer life.

Rashi goes further. He interprets this passage to mean that children can be a determiner of the quality of our lives and the length of our lives. Anyone who has raised children knows the pitfalls of being a parent. Children’s actions have a determining factor upon our lives.

Their behavior can determine the length of our days. They are a source of great pride and love and can be a source at times of extreme aggravation. So Rashi reinterprets the Hebrew in this sentence as meaning that honoring your father and mother increases not only your life but also theirs.

According the Bible, the secret to longevity is no secret; it is simply the quality of our family life. Parents that are relatively happy with the progress of their children will see life differently than parents who don’t have that luxury.

So, while recent research may prove a link between brain size and longevity, according to the Bible, what affects our lives much more significantly is the day to day business of family life.

FROM THE PRESIDENT
By Martin E. Kline

One year ago I set a goal to create new programming that would invigorate every constituency of the Congregation, from the preschool to Renaissance. We had interesting programs like our panel on Health Care Reform and the Financial Issues of 2010, presented by The Arms of Har Sinai; a screening of “Praying with Lior” brought to the Temple by the Special Needs Families Outreach Committee, Dixieland Jazz put together by Dr.Art Frank and Renaissance, and the screening of the film “A Serious Man.” Our Fundraising Committee had a successful Gold Night and Circle of Excellence Campaign, as well as a terrific Comedy Night. The Men’s Club hosted a “Roast” of Past President Ron Perl and Trenton Thunder Day during which Cantor Pincus sang “God Bless America.” Sisterhood ran the Chanukah Bazaar with terrific items from vendors and delicious hummus and hamatashen, the Sisterhood Retreat, and our Women’s Seder.

Comedy was also a theme in our annual Purimshpiel. It was “The Megillah According to Broadway,” masterfully put together by Cantor Pincus. The Chavurah has been very active with programs for adults and children. Our adult and youth choirs performed on several occasions along with the T’filah Band proving, as we already knew, that at Har Sinai we are a very talented group.

Thanks to the hard work of Simon Kimmelman and the Budget Committee, we will have a balanced budget next year.We were able to get to this historic point with hard work and sacrifice on the part of all concerned. There is still a lot of work to do. We need to increase membership and contributions. We need to tell the community about our vibrant Congregation, including our preschool and religious school and activities for every age group. Under the able leadership of Lisa Kimmelman, I am sure we will see success in increasing membership.

It was a difficult year with the untimely passing of Board Member Nancy La Posta who was so instrumental in the construction of our new home here in Pennington. In her honor, the Board of Trustees has renamed the Building Fund the Nancy La Posta Building Fund.

I had the pleasure of working with an extremely talented and hard working Executive Board. Executive Vice President David Dafilou, First Vice President Dr. Norman Coopersmith, Second Vice President Dr. Jeffrey Fine,Third Vice President, Rick Pollock,Treasurer Simon Kimmelman, Financial Secretary Marci Primus and Recording Secretary Karen Jimenez. I would like to thank each member of the Executive Committee for their unwavering commitment to Har Sinai and their hours of dedicated service that have made our Congregation a stronger and more vibrant community.

To the members of the Board of Trustees, as you know, your responsibilities are more than attending a monthly meeting. Each member of the Board is active in at least two committees and this dedication is self-evident in the success of our programming throughout this year. Thank you all for your dedication and hard work. I would like to acknowledge two members of the Executive Committee who are stepping down. I would like to thank First Vice President Norman Coopersmith for his advice and counsel and wish him and Roslyn well as they spend more time at their home in Florida. I also want to thank Rick Pollock for taking on the challenging job of Fundraising. Rick will remain on the Board and has promised me that he will act as an ombudsman to make sure that the growth that we started this past year will continue. Leaving the Board will be Ariel Schwartz, Janice Blumberg and Roslyn Coopersmith. I want to thank them for all of their work over their years of service.

I want to especially thank Barbara Weiner who served as our Nominating Committee chair and did a fabulous job identifying new Executive Committee Members and Board Members.

I would like to welcome two new members of the Executive Committee—Vice President in charge of Fundraising, Susan Weisberger, and as Vice President in charge of Religious Practices, Peter Buchsbaum. I know both Susan and Peter are dedicated and active members of Har Sinai and they will make even more of a contribution in their new roles.

Welcome to our new board members: Heather Fehn, Alan Kline, Lori Lipsky, Jill Schwartz, Colin Schreiber, and Linda Steinberg.

Har Sinai is fortunate to have such a talented staff. Rabbi Pollack is our spiritual leader, Comedy Night emcee and ice cream scooper extraordinaire. Cantor Pincus has increased the spirituality of our services with her beautiful voice. Laura Reiser, our Temple Administrator, keeps everything running smoothly and even calls me when I don’t read my e-mails. Magda Reyes,Religious School Director and head of our preschool, has completed another successful school year. Michael makes sure that the physical plant is ready for every activity.

I want to thank my wife Janice for understanding when I call her at 4:00 in the afternoon to tell her I won’t be home for dinner.

It has been my pleasure to serve as Har Sinai President. That is not to say that the job doesn’t involve a lot of hours, phone calls and meetings. It is, however, a joy to see what we have accomplished this year and I look forward to doing even more in the coming year.

Cantor's Corner
By Cantor Emily Pincus