[Barmitzvah of Stuart Finkel]
By a lucky chance it has fallen to your lot to read the haftarah [reading from the prophets of this day, in this case I Samuel 20.18-42] which the Rabbis selected for the day before a New Moon. I say lucky, because you have thereby come to know intimately what is surely one of the greatest literary pieces in the Bible, and indeed in world literature.
Let me remind you of the events it records. King Saul, afflicted by spells of melancholy, and full of jealousy of the young David who, he suspected, would succeed him, had it in his mind to kill him. Saul's son, Jonathan, who had a deep affection and loyalty towards David, arranged to give David a signal if it appeared that his father intended his death. When the matter turned out as expected, the two friends parted, never to see each other again. The story is simple enough, but it is told in the Bible in a manner which makes it immortal.
Several lessons stand out from the story as told in the Bible. The first is that of loyalty. Jonathan was placed in a difficult situation. He felt loyalty towards his friend, loyalty towards his father. He discharged both duties. He defended his friend as far as he was able, and when he could do no more, he arranged for his escape. But he was loyal to his father too, and eventually made the supreme sacrifice, dying with him on the battlefield.
Jonathan sets us an example in two ways. First, he shows us the true value of loyalty. He does not spare himself when he feels it his duty to help his friend, even at the risk of danger to himself. This is something we can well take to heart. Loyalty to our family, our friends, our religion, our country, is a great virtue in itself, and one that pays great rewards too. One can only receive loyalty if one gives loyalty, and this Jonathan did faithfully.
Jonathan also shows us what to do when there is a conflict of loyalty. How was he to choose between his love and duty to his father, and his loyalty to his friend? For this he used his own moral sense of right and wrong. Although he loved his father, he could not agree that Saul's hatred of David and his desire to kill him were right. Such conflicts confront everyone at some time in life. The only way to handle them is to ask oneself what is right, and decide bravely to follow what is right. We may make mistakes, but at least we will know that we are doing all that is humanly possible.
Besides loyalty, Jonathan gives us a splendid example of justice. When Saul threatens David's death, Jonathan says: "Why should he be put to death? What has he done?" Now I want you to imagine the circumstances. The King, who has the power over the lives of all his subjects, has decreed the death of one of them. And here a young man objects on the grounds of justice. He had not sinned. Why punish him? Now there are many parts of the world, even today, where no one would dare say such a thing. But in ancient Israel they had the great ideal of justice, and even though it might be forgotten at times, it always raised itself afresh. It is the basis of the law of all civilized countries, and the basis of the behavior of individual people too.
Thus Jonathan gives us two great ideals of loyalty and justice, and I hope you will make these your watchwords throughout your life.
In these ideals, your attachment to Judaism can help you greatly. I hope that you will continue to take the ample opportunities offered to you to broaden your knowledge of Judaism. I don't think that in your case I have to work too hard to persuade you, because I believe that you are already convinced of the importance of Jewish learning.
Let me say only this. The next ten years are the best years of your life for the study of Judaism, and indeed of every other worthy object of study. Use them to the best advantage, and without fail you will enjoy the fruit of your labor for the rest of your life. In this you may look for the help of your dear parents and grandparents who will, I know, do everything to make your spiritual progress speedy and sure. Follow their example of helpfulness and love of their neighbor. Be a frequent worshipper in this House of God. Then surely the Almighty will grant you the blessing promised through Aaron the priest:
The Lord bless and preserve you.
The Lord cause his face to shine on you and be gracious unto you.
The Lord turn his face toward you and grant you peace.