I am so nervous about leading services tomorrow night because I'm giving the sermon. I'm done writing it, but oh, it is just SO outreachy and typical.Basically the story is this: Korach leads a rebellion against Moses and Aaron. Korach is basically like George W. Bush, a bad, greedy, erstwhile wanna-be who cloaks his lust for ambition and wealth in a G-dly message (that G-d is an equal opportunity leadership trainer and so Moses and Aaron are needlessly raising themselves above the others).
Eventually, after falling on his face (Moses does a lot of that) the argument escalates and Moses shuts it down by suggesting they engage in an old-west style incense and firepan throwdown. G-d, he tells Korach, will reveal the true leader.
And G-d shows up to cast the winning vote. It's like Iron Chef, except that Korach and his 250 rebels get swallowed up by the earth, instead of humiliation at the hands of the Chairman and Fukui San.
Classic story line from My Bodyguard (anyone remember that movie?) Or when Jerry Mouse takes the thumbtack out of Butch the Bulldog's paw and gets a golden whistle in return. Anytime Tom hassles him: just whistle. And receive some fine Old Testamant justice for your trouble.
I know I have all day tomorrow to tweak this but this is one of those moments when I wonder how pertinent the whole conversion thing will be. Will people be willing to forgive an outreachy drash because it's given by a Jew-by-Choice? Or will I be held to a different standard, that I don't have to be as smart or cool since I wasn't born into this people. Or will they just think I'm out and out stupid and that I should just stick to singing. You can't mess up the lecha dodi too badly, even if you were born Catholic.
Speaking of which: hopefully the singing part won't go too badly.
Shabbat shalom.
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