While each teenager is unique, once in a while an extra special one comes along that etches not only the memory of his growth, but also of the growth of the entire congregation. Today is that occasion. Today, each member of our congregation is participating in support of Aaron Joseph Vogel Sorkin through words, spirit, love and happiness to help facilitate his Bar Mitzvah.
If Aaron belonged to a different synagogue, he might not have the opportunity to have a Bar Mitzvah because some believe “a child with disabilities cannot be called to the Torah – that a child who cannot understand in a traditional way is unable to follow Torah.” In our synagogue, we don’t let others make our decisions nor set our limits.
Who is to say Aaron’s experiences during services are not as holy or more so than ours? Each of us finds our own way back to our Source, Aaron included. His mother, Jeane, recalled in her writing how from birth, they didn’t know if he could see because they noticed he saw something they didn’t see. They came to the conclusion that it might be angels, because that is what Aaron believes. While Aaron sees those things we cannot, what we do witness is a smile on his face as he experiences it.
I know each time when I see him I come to learn something from him as he sits in his chair, listening. From time to time, my attention is drawn toward him to see a new smile lighting up his face, triggering a glow from within me as well. When he smiles and laughs, he gives me permission to do the same, as together we dismiss our handicaps of life. When he sits and plays the drums, I know in my heart God hears his music. The love that flows within his presence is truly unconditional and the music is of a sweeter nature altogether, because it’s his prayer, his gift to God.
It isn’t just me who see this. From the smiles on their faces, it seems to be that way for the whole congregation. Each freely gives to be of service to Aaron for whatever his need and to share in his experiences of life. I remember only a couple of weeks ago watching Aaron come up to play the drums as his contribution to a friend’s Bar Mitzvah. Today is his friend’s chance to return the contribution to Aaron. He sits in a front row chair, waiting impatiently.
Members who sit in regular chairs, are graciously giving up their comfort zone to accommodate out of town guests and guests from other synagogues, including some visiting rabbis. While Rabbi Randy ushers Aaron’s classmates to the front row seat, knowing they will be assisting in the service and will need to get up quickly to deliver their portions.
As he looks around the room, Rabbi Randy sees it’s time. He starts services with a brief introduction about Aaron’s challenges and how, with the help of family, friends, classmates and congregation, today Aaron will experience a milestone on his spiritual path.
We sing the opening prayer in Hebrew, then read it in English so that every denomination present can join in as we pray together: “I am grateful to stand before the Source of life that has returned my soul to me once again. My faith is renewed.”
Aaron’s parents, Jeane and Steve, come up to the bema where he is standing and present him with his Talit (prayer shawl). Jeane places it around his shoulders as she mentions how happy she and Steve are to be present at this moment. Once done, we sing Mah Tovu, followed by Psalm 133: “How good and pleasant when people live together in unity!” Standing present to our blessings, we chant together the Benedictions of Praise as we thank God for our many blessings. Some include making us in His image, making us free, making us Yisraeil (God-wrestlers), opening the eyes of the blind, providing clothes for the needy, giving strength to the weak and guiding the steps of human beings. As we conclude, I silently thank God, once more, that I can see my blessings, remembering long ago when it wasn’t possible. Then, we recite the Reader’s Kaddish.
In between regular parts of the service, teenagers from Aaron’s seventh grade class come up to the bema and recite verses for him; and when it’s time for his readings, relatives serve as surrogates, lending their voice to his teachings. Tears of joy and love abound, showing how men and women alike are touched by the love of the community for Aaron, as well as acknowledgement of the love of the community for each other. If you want to see community in action, this is the place and today’s the day.
Everyone who has watched Aaron’s growth, and the love of his family can’t help but become a contributor. Aaron, like so many other special children, has the ability to remind us what is important in life. It’s those ideals such as trust, love, understanding, compassion, and faith that the special children bring out in us through their need for someone to watch over them. We can’t help but step up to provide for his needs, even if it’s a simple smile or laugh in the treasured time shared together.
Probably, the most touching moment of the service begins as we chant the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4ff) together. Translated into English, the Shema reads: Hear, O Israel: Adonai is our God, Adonai is One! When it’s chanted in Hebrew it sounds like: She-ma yis-ra-el: a-do-nai e-lo-hei-nu, a-do-nai e-chad! Usually, when it’s sung, those are the dearest, sweetest, holiest words I know to flow from my lips to God’s ears. While they have always touched my heart, today the words just got holier. You see, while singing the Shema, Aaron’s mother is signing the words for the teenagers on the bema and the entire congregation joins in slowly, so as not to leave anyone out, singing and signing together.
I learned a lot from Aaron today. More than I would have guessed was possible. In this moment, as we are all singing and signing together, we are experiencing what it’s like to be a part of the Oneness we strive for in our daily lives.
When I see Aaron, I see love, innocence, trust, and openness – uncluttered by the baggage the rest of us tote around. Because I have been a small part of this child’s life, mine is fuller with God’s love. Service never seems slow, today being no exception, maybe because I enjoy my Shabbat and savor each moment as it is meant.
A few songs and chants later and it’s time for our silent meditation. Today, Aaron’s family provides a Chasidic story about a little boy who didn’t know the prayers. He had just begun to study Hebrew and so far all he had learned were the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The little boy asked God to listen as he recited the alphabet and then to please put the letters together into proper words and prayers. The boy began to recite silently, “Alef, bet, gimmel, dalet, hay, vav…” I finish reading the meditation, as more tears trickle down the side of my face and Shirley hands me a fresh Kleenexes.
Then, in Aaron’s Bar Mitzvah booklet, on page 14, I see this excerpt that sums it up:
When you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend
I’ll help you carry on
For it won’t be long
Till I’m gonna need somebody to lean on.”
Bill Withers
I smile, remembering Rabbi Susan’s famous reminder: “everyone gets the Torah portion that’s right for them,” and once again, it happens.
A higher Presence is truly visible when Aaron’s around. It follows him as It watches down from above. We are all the holier for It. Now it’s time for the Torah reading. Today’s reading is about Noah, and it begins: “Noah was a just man and perfect in his generation, and Noah walked with God.” One only needed to look at Aaron standing on the bema in front of the congregation to know that Aaron too walks with God.