1 minute read
Rabbi Rami Strosberg
STROSBERG
Absolute Brotherhood
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Hinei Ma Tov is one of the most popular songs sung in schools, shuls, camps, retreats, and Israeli Dance Festivals. According to Wikipedia, it has been recorded by artists as diverse as Joshua Aaron, Theodore Bikel, The Weavers, Dalida, Lenny Solomon, Avram Fried, Ishtar, the Miami Boys Choir, the Abayudaya of Uganda and the dub group Adonai and I. Harry Belafonte recorded a version in 1960. The ‘60s rock band Spirit recorded it and it was in the 1977 film Raid on Entebbe, where Yonathan Netanyahu led the Israeli soldiers in singing as the commandos’ plane was en route to the hostages.
Why are our people so obsessed with this song? Is it the melody or the message? While there are countless melodies spanning from the beginning of time to today, it’s the message that is so central to who we are as Jews. We are inclusive. We include and care for others not like ourselves. In the Torah, we are commanded by God, numerous times to take care of the widow, orphan, and convert, to respect our parents, stand up for the elderly, visit the sick, comfort the mourner, and love our neighbor like ourselves.
These mitzvot all point in the same direction and guide us to think of others with “special needs”. We all have specialized needs and it is our responsibility to build a community that is accessible and sensitive to the unique individuality of each member.
In December, when I was approached by Yachad’s International Director Avromie Adler, and invited to consider a position working for Yachad Israel, my response was immediate and clear to me. Of course, I wanted to work for Yachad. This is a privilege like no other. As part of the Yachad community, over the past 6 months, I’ve met people who know how to love and care for one another. It’s remarkable to see what kedusha can be created when we are intentional about the way we relate to each other.
Yachad is an organization that brings life to the words of Dovid Hamelech, “Hinay Ma Tov Uma Naim Shevet Achim Gam Yachad.”
Please come visit us on Emek Refaim in Yerushalayim so we can welcome you to our community!
