Learning Center
AS WE ENTER OUR 350TH YEAR
Sermon by Rabbi Marc D. Angel

In the latter half of the fourteenth century, somewhere in Spain, a scribe devoted himself to writing a Torah scroll. He sat quietly with his quill and vellum, copying the eternal words of the Torah, letter by precious letter, with infinite care and consummate artistry.

He undertook this sacred task at a difficult time in the history of the Jews in Spain. Although Spanish Jewry had created a vibrant and magnificent culture over the centuries, their situation took a serious turn for the worse by the second half of the fourteenth century. Religious fanaticism among Catholic preachers fanned the fires of anti-Jewish hatred. In 1391, widespread riots against Jews broke out throughout Spain-violence and murder, forced conversion, destruction of Jewish books, vandalism of synagogues, anti-Jewish legislation. Even Jews who converted to Christianity were not safe, since they were hunted and tormented by the infamous Inquisition.

In spite of the all-encompassing turmoil and danger around him, the scribe worked on writing his Torah scroll. Who was this scribe? We do not know his name. We know nothing at all about him. Only that he wrote a Torah scroll at a time of great turbulence for the Jews of Spain.

Rabbinic tradition describes the Torah as consisting of black fire on white fire. The black fire is the ink, the words, the stories and the commandments. The white fire is the parchment beneath the ink. It symbolizes feelings and thoughts that are too deep for words, that are ineffable. In some sense, the black fire represents the world as it is, with all its vicissitudes and challenges; the white fire represents eternity, or the world at its ultimate fulfillment.

Our anonymous Spanish scribe wrote down the words in black ink, fully aware of the difficult reality of his time; but he also knew he was putting the black fire on white fire. He was focused beyond the literal words to the spiritual possibilities for Jews and humanity that transcended verbal expression. In a transitory world at a transitional period, our scribe wrote the word of God, the Torah, with an eye to eternity.

The situation of Spanish Jewry continued to deteriorate until the Jews were finally expelled by the fanatical King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in 1492. Some went to Portugal; others to North Africa; some to Western European cities; many to the domains of the Ottoman Empire; some to the middle east, including the land of Israel. By the end of the 16th century, a community of returning conversos was established in Amsterdam. During the first half of the 17th century, some of them went with the Dutch West India Company to Brazil, establishing a synagogue in Recife. And then in 1654, after the Portuguese had wrested control of Recife from the Dutch, a group of 23 Jews left Brazil and arrived in New Amsterdam in early September. They were the founders of our congregation Shearith Israel-and the founders of the American Jewish community. Today, we commemorate the anniversary of their arrival as we enter the 350th year of our community's life.

Early synagogue records indicate that the congregation adopted the name Shearith Jacob-Remnant of Jacob. This was drawn from the prophecy of Micah (5:6-7): "And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peoples, as dew from the Lord, as showers upon the grass and the remnant of Jacob shall be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples." Apparently, the founders of our community viewed their presence in New Amsterdam-New York as of 1664-as providential. They were just a remnant of the Jewish people; they dwelled in a remote outpost of Jewish life among other peoples. At the same time, they wished to be "as dew from the Lord, as showers upon the grass"; they wanted to be constructive members of their new society and a positive influence on the larger community in which they lived.

Very early in the congregation's history, the name Shearith Jacob was replaced by Shearith Israel. That is how the congregation is called in our first extant constitution of 1728, and that is how it has been called ever since. The prophet Jeremiah had stated (31:7): "For thus says the Lord: sing with gladness for Jacob and shout at the head of the nations; announce ye, praise ye, and say: O Lord save your people, the remnant of Israel." These words reflected the hopes of the small Jewish community, this remnant of Israel in the New World. They prayed for the protection of the Almighty. They expressed their optimism that the Lord would watch over them.

These past 349 years have witnessed the phenomenal development of the American Jewish community. From those 23 Jews, we have grown into the largest Jewish community in the history of the diaspora with a long and impressive record in all areas of American life-religious, military, cultural, economic, political-the entire spectrum. Our own congregation has been a sturdy pillar of American Jewish life, with each generation contributing to the amazing growth and vitality of our community and our nation. What a great privilege it is for us to be part of this history. We thank the Almighty for having given us this privilege, and we pray that we may be worthy to carry on and enhance this tradition for many more years.

That anonymous scribe in fourteenth century Spain knew that Jewish history was fraught with crises and severe challenges. But he responded to this reality by writing a beautiful Torah scroll, expressing the black fire of the word of God, our way of life; and the white fire, the silent strength, the mysteriously profound wisdom, the invincible courage of the Jewish people to march through the centuries with dignity, honor and idealism.

Little did that scribe know that a congregation would arise one day in America that would follow the rites and traditions of the Jews of Spain; little did he imagine that that congregation would grow and prosper and play a vital role in its society going on 350 years. Least of all could he have envisioned that the remarkable Torah scroll which he wrote in fourteenth century Spain would be read in the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue of New York City as it enters in 350th year of existence.

But surely he would have been pleased. His faith in the Torah and in the ongoing saga of the Jewish people has been vindicated. The reading from this Torah scroll this morning is a testimony to our deep roots in the past. It is testimony to the faith and courage of the generations of Jews that have come before us; it is testimony to our own commitment to carry the light and glory of the Torah into the future generations.

We thank our distinguished member, Mr. Helmut Friedlaender, and the Eugen Friedlaender Foundation, for making this Torah scroll available to us for this morning's ceremony.

Today we celebrate the black fire of the Torah-its invincible spirit and idealism. Today we celebrate the white fire of the Torah-its ineffable wisdom and powerful emotion. Today we come before the Almighty with humility and gratitude, as bearers of the Torah tradition, as symbols of American Jewish continuity: and we pray: "Oh Lord, bless Your people, the remnant of Israel." Amen.