What kind of role model are you? #Emor#devartorah#parashathashavua

During a summer of international sports scandals involving gambling and substance abuse, two athletes were applauded for their character as much as their professional accomplishments. A record crowd of 75,000 cheered Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn during their 2007 induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. “Whether we like it or not,” Ripken said, “as big leaguers, we are role models. The only question is, will it be positive or will it be negative?”

Gwynn echoed the sentiment: “There’s more than just playing the game of baseball. . You’re responsible, you’ve got to make good decisions and show people how things are supposed to be done.”

If this is true for athletes, how much more so for our elected leaders and their advisors of both parties. Incendiary rhetoric from both the right and the left is dividing our country. Political violence is wrong and has no place in a democracy and needs to be condemned. Unfortunately, hypocrisy, lies, outrageous statements, and scandalous behavior are no longer shocking. They seem to be the new norm of our country. We need leaders who don’t throw fuel on the fire. As the leader of our country and the free world we should expect more of the President of the United States. While decrying political violence on the left, Pres. Trump has, quite simply, crossed the line both more forcefully and more often. I’m saddened that he has not become a role model we need at this time to reduce political violence.

In this week’s Torah portion, Emor, outlines the special rules and regulations that the kohanim, the priests had to observe. As leaders of the Jewish people they were their role models especially when it came to grief and loss. Today each and every one of us is a role model in one way or another for our family, for our Jewish community, and for the wider secular community.

Every day, people are watching us. We have no better role model than Abraham who lived up to God’s charge back in Genesis saying, “walk in My ways and be blameless. “ (17:2) Bad behavior causes others to become disillusioned, while character fosters hope. What kind of role model will we be for someone watching today?