Today was Flag Day. We chose to use the day to honor one of our graduates who has enlisted in the Navy as well as our other military veterans. I decorated the shul with American flags and pulled special readings. I didn’t give a traditional sermon but if we had tried we couldn’t have picked a more perfect portion.
Here is a series of vignettes.
Reflection One:
Flags are important in many cultures. Each Israelite tribe had its own flag. This portion teaches us about how 12 scouts, one from each tribe. went out to spy out the land. It also contains the portion that we read as the third paragraph of the Sh’ma, about putting fringes on our clothes as a reminder of the mitzvot, of G-d’s Divine Presence. These fringes are attached to a tallit, a four cornered garment. Traditionally, these garments are white with blue stripes. Originally one of the threads would be a shade of blue, techelet in Hebrew. How to make that dye was lost after the destruction of the Temple. Recently the Israel Antiquities Authority announced that it had fabric that may be dyed “techelet”. http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-artifacts/artifacts-and-the-bible/ancient-fabric-dyed-biblical-blue/ There is a continuing debate if this is a “royal blue” or closer to purple. In any case, while the tallit is quite ancient, the Israeli flag reflects today’s Torah portion.
Reflection Two:
I learned this portion best at the feet of Ben Gilad, president of the Academy of Competitive Intelligence. Himself a former Israeli military officer and professor at Rutgers, he would use this portion as the first example of military and competitive intelligence. Moses, the CEO, sent twelve analysts into the competitor, Canaan, to gather information to make strategic and tactical decisions about how to enter a new market. Ten come back and say, “You can’t do it. They are entrenched. And large. As large as grasshoppers. They will eat you alive. Don’t even try.” Only two, Joshua and Caleb, look at the data and say that it worth attempting. It is a good land. A land flowing with milk and honey. How we take disparate data and not be blindsided or even worse have a blind spot, is part of what the classes that Ben teaches. What I learned about competitive intelligence from Ben and from Leonard Fuld and Mike Sandman is part of how I approach synagogue management.
Reflection Three
But what about the American flag? How do we approach that symbol? I have so many memories of the American flag. Any number of flag ceremonies as a Girl Scout. Marching in Memorial Day parades in Evanston. Raising the flag over the governor’s summer residence on Mackinac Island in Michigan. Rushing to raise the flag over the high school as the presidential motorcade passed by. 4th of July in Grand Rapids, Michigan and the roaring of Stars and Stripes forever. All of the flags after 9/11.
Flag Day was always the last day of school. It was when the flag in front of the school was lowered for the last time of the year. It was very special with lots of pomp, then everyone rushed to Heather Downs pool for popsicles.
There is something thrilling about seeing an American flag and I have been known to tear up during the National Anthem or God Bless America. Even at a ball game.
And yet, I remember a conversation in the social hall of an Episcopal Church. I was leading a Brownie troop, and the rector, walked through during a flag ceremony. He pulled me aside and wondered what we are teaching our children and how the flag does not become an idol. It took me aback. He is right. If we only teach America right or wrong or if we don’t feel free to question, then we run into the same trap the Israelites did. We can have blind spots. We can be blindsided. The flag itself can be used as a symbol we never intended.
Reflection Four:
What about the US Flag and Jews. We proudly display the American flag and the Israeli flag in our building. We pulled them out from the walls especially for this service. Is there any tension between the two flags? Can we have allegiances to both? We are entitled to joint American and Israeli citizenship. Our group did not think that there should be tensions. We are loyal Americans and the question seems to be from another era. And yet, as someone pointed out, there is the case of Jonathan Pollard. And later in the day, a high school class mate of mine was questioning the Federal Reserve on Facebook. You know, it is all a conspiracy. You can fill in the blanks but those old charges still exist. For me, I love my t-shirt with the American flag, the one I didn’t wear. Keep America Beautiful. Plant a Tree, Be Kind to Nature, Conserve Energy, Volunteer. So that is how I choose to show my loyalty to America, whom I love. Having lived in other countries, there is no place better. Perfect. No. Best place on earth? You bet.
Reflection Five:
And so that beauty, that freedom, does need to be protected. Do I wish that we did not need a trained military? Sure. Do I pray every day for peace? Absolutely. Am I grateful for those who choose military service? You bet. So as part of our service, we thanked those who have served. We prayed for our country, its leaders and advisors. We memorialized those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, their lives, with a reading before Kaddish. And we wished a young man who has chosen to enter the Navy, safe voyages. It was a full and rich morning.