Jan 8th, 00:00

My wife tells me that I should avoid using sports references and metaphors in my sermons and writings because many people don’t relate to, watch, follow, or enjoy sports. While that might be true, there is also no denying that, for better or worse, sports are an integral part of our society. After all, every newspaper has a sports section and every local television broadcast has a dedicated sports reporter. Those who do follow and know sports history know that in championship games it is often times an unlikely, lesser-known player (as opposed to a superstar player) that rises to the top to get the crucial hit or catch the game-winning pass, and ultimately win the game or series. In life and history as well, it is often times the most unlikely person who has the greatest impact on our lives. The same is true in Jewish history. In our Torah portion this week, two midwives refuse to follow Pharaoh’s decree that all first-born Israelite males be put to death. The Torah says that Shifrah and Pu’ah feared God, and thus did not do as Pharaoh ordered. Putting their own lives on the line, these two unlikely heroines in-effect saved Judaism and the Jewish people because their actions enabled baby Moses to live. Throughout Jewish history, others have put their own lives on the line so that a Jew might live. Most notably are the so-called Righteous Gentiles who defied the Nazis to save Jewish lives. Through whatever means necessary, these heroes, some whose names are known and some whose names are unknown, did what was right and honorable even in the face of extreme and immediate danger. A few weeks ago, there was an attempted terrorist attack on an American airplane. Again, a most unlikely person stepped up to the plate of history to thwart the attack by tackling the suspect and putting out the fire. This man was not thinking of fame or fortune. He was not thinking of commercial endorsements receiving any medals for his actions. His only motivation was to save his own life and those of everyone else on that airplane. Each of us can be an unlikely hero in our own small way. When we perform mitzvot, when we help a child or an elderly person, when we support a worthy organization, when we give and do tzedakah, and in so many other ways, we quietly make a positive difference in the world. I pray that none of us are ever confronted with the choices faced by Shifrah and Pu’ah or those on that airplane. But I do know that in the future as in the past, the real heroes will always by the most unlikely of people. Tonight at Temple will be our Family Shabbat Service with birthday and anniversary blessings for January. Tomorrow we have Torah Study and religious school at 9:00 AM and our Shabbat Morning Service at 10:00 at which time Jake Pressman will be called to the Torah as a bar mitzvah. Mazal tov to Jake and his entire family. As always you can watch both services on our website: www.templebethtikvah.com (click on Live Services).