A rabbi stood in front of his congregation and said, “Before I begin my sermon I want to tell you something interesting. I have a story to tell. A Dutch Jew survived the Nazis by hiding in attics and cellars. He came to the United States after the war and finished his education. He was appointed head of the philosophy department at a university. He assimilated, married a gentile woman, and had no interest in the Jewish community.
His marriage was unhappy and he was on the verge of divorce. A lecturer had been invited to the university and the President, a Catholic, asked the professor to greet the guest. “Who is he?”
The President answered, “He is a Jewish theologian and philosopher.”
The professor, somewhat annoyed, asked the President, “Why are you sending me?”
“There are two reasons. First of all, you are a Jew. Second, you are the chairman of the Philosophy Department.”
The man went reluctantly to meet Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. As they were riding in his car, they began to discuss philosophy. The professor was amazed at the erudition and the brilliant mind of Dr Heschel. Heschel asked the professor, “Are you Jewish?” A curt answer: “Yes.” Heschel asked, “What are you doing about?” He replied, I never thought about it.” Heschel softly said, “May I suggest that you do.”
The professor attended the lecture. The hall was crowded, and the audience was spellbound by Dr. Heschel’s presentation. The professor noticed a woman who also seemed fascinated by the lecturer. He introduced himself, and engaged her in conversation. She told him that she was Jewish, a widow, and that she was very interested in the lecture. The professor invited her for coffee to review what they had heard. For weeks they met to discuss the lecture while he pondered the question, “What are you doing bout it?”
He began a planned study which changed his life. He ultimately became a committed Jews and participated in the community. One day he sat down to write a letter to Rabbi Heschel to explain that the visit changed his life. While he was writing, the mailman arrived with a small package. He opened it and found a pair of tefillin which Rabbi Heschel had sent. He cherished this gift and kept in full view on his desk.
This is the end of the story, and now I can begin my sermon, but I want you to know about that young widow. After his divorce, the professor married her, and as far as I know they are very happy.
This sermon begins with the same question that Dr. Heschel addressed to an assimilated, indifferent professor of philosophy. You are Jews because you are here. What are you doing about it?
-Rabbi Ralph Simon
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