Feb 12th 2010, 00:00

As we are approaching the April 15^th deadline for filing taxes, there are countless advertisements on television, radio, the Internet, and in print for tax filing companies and software, all of which promise the maximum refund possible.  In many ads, the company promises to get you “every penny you’re entitled to.”  This epitomizes the society and culture in which we live.  Today, it’s all about entitlement.  We all know those issues that have been labeled the “third rail of American politics,” and everyone seems out to get whatever and however much they can.

There is a serious lack of communal responsibility today, let alone an awareness of one’s individual responsibility to build and strengthen the community and provide for others who cannot.  Though I am not an economist nor expert on financial matters, I agree that our government spends way too much money.  But this is nothing new.  Washington has been spending way too much for decades.  Most people don’t seem to mind as long as they are the ones receiving the funds.  It’s only when there is a perception of waste, fraud, or abuse, or a sense that someone is not entitled that there is outrage, protest, and anger.

This week’s Torah portion, “Mishpatim,” coming on the heels of the Mt. Sinai experience and the giving of the Ten Commandments, contains numerous rules, laws, and commandments that deal with individual and communal responsibility.  I believe this is an important reminder for us today who live in the most “me-centered” nation and culture to ever exist.  Not that Americans are not generous: indeed, we are the most generous nation on earth with our money, time, and resources.  I am not speaking of our actions as individuals and as a nation, which, in many cases are quite generous.  I am speaking of our attitudes, our perceptions, and our worldview, all of which affect our actions for the positive and the negative.

The Torah does not speak of rights; the Torah is all about responsibility, both individual and communal.  If we do something wrong, then we are liable and culpable.  The essential message of this week’s Torah portion is that we have a responsibility towards others.  One can get bogged down in the details of the stated rules and laws, but it is the overall message that must be elevated, understood, internalized, and put into action.  No one is perfect, but neither the Torah or Judaism demand perfection.  What is demanded is balance and beyond that a striving towards holiness.  That is the purpose of all the rules and laws mentioned in this week’s Torah portion: to remind us that our focus should not be on what we think are entitled to, but rather on how we can live positive, productive, responsible lives.

Tonight is our early service at 6:00 PM followed by dinner (reservations required) and our special guest speaker, Rabbi Moshe Halfon, who serves as the chaplain at the California Institute for Women in Chino.  The program will begin at 7:30 PM if you’d like to come to hear him speak.  As always, tonight’s service will be carried live on our website, www.templebethtikvah.com (click on Live Services).  Tomorrow there is no religious school on account of the holiday weekend, but there will be Torah Study and the Shabbat morning services as usual.  Have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend.