Current Bulletin Message
by Rabbi Mark Dov Shapiro

For Your Consideration
Rabbi Mark Dov Shapiro

Star Wars & Star Trek – Some thoughts about the movies.

First and foremost, isn’t it interesting that each set of films has worked its way around to a similar theme? The final Star Wars film from 2005 is similar to the current Star Trek film of 2009 insofar as both are movies about origins. The last Star Wars film imagined how Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader. The current Star Trek dramatizes the origins of James Kirk, captain of the starship Enterprise.

In some sense, both movies touch on a universal subject. It’s the search to discover how each of us became who we are. Related to that, there is the ongoing process of refining who we are.

We Jews have a name for this self-evaluating process. It’s called Cheshbon Hanefesh , which means “taking account of the soul.” Or to put it more idiomatically, figuring out who we are and what we need to become.

You might even say that, just as the Enterprise was on a journey across the galaxies, each of us is on our own journey across the span of a lifetime searching for the best way to live out our time on earth.

Some of us find our greatest meaning as spouses or parents. Some find meaning at work. Some find purpose in volunteer activities, social justice, politics, gardening, reading, music, or theater.

What I love about the synagogue and prayer in particular is that, during services, I find myself free of distractions and able to focus on where I am going and where I have been. Services are my time for dreaming big thoughts, for contemplating the “stars” and the quality of my journey in life.

I assume many of you will see the new Star Trek movie in the next few weeks. I would love to hear your response to the film. Come visit on a Friday evening when we’ll be thinking big thoughts anyway. Prayer is the perfect vehicle for journeys as big as the stars.

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