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Last night Nikki and I had Shabbot (Sabbath meal) with a Jewish Rabbi, his wife and 6 children.  They are an incredibly beautiful family in every way.  I’ve been to about 3 Shabbot’s - one with another Reform Rabbi in Dallas and another in Jerusalem with a family of writers. 

It was funny to me - we have the idea that it is a formal meal and everyone is orderly and in line - no way!  Kids act like kids - the holy intersects with the wild!  The Father (Rabbi) sang the songs and Nikki and I followed along reading the words in a little book.  The oldest son - 13 - I sat beside mumbled a little bit the words.  We washed our hands, ate the bread, ate the meal.  The Rabbi then had the kids share with him their homework from school - he praised them, and also asked them questions about the Hebrew Scriptures - they did very good. 

We got into the usual discussions of Judaism & Christianity, culture, global issues - faith as a positive force and how drive that - etc., - but what stood out most to me was his desire to change the world.  I asked him what his dream in life was, “To be a part of changing the world?”  “How would you do that?” I asked him.  “I want to live for God as a person, in my family, in my community in such a way that others also want to follow God.  I want to call my own people - Jews - back to God and as we live the life we are supposed to, then there will be hope for the whole world.”  He’s Orthodox - so the more conservative Jew.  I really enjoyed him and his wife and kids a lot.  He’s smart, kind, and very gracious.  He told us about his family coming from Europe to Galveston in the early 1900’s, she shared about her family.  They told us about various Jewish traditions. 

He got me the most incredible gift - I was like a little kid opening a present - It was an autographed copy of Jonathan Sachs latest book, “The Great Partnership - God, Science, and the Search for Meaning.”  Dr. Sachs even wrote me a message!!!!  His book the Dignity of Difference and The Home We Build Together are two of my all time favorites that I keep near me.