One of the primary dimensions of my role as Rabbi in Residence here at Emmanuel Church, is to offer a Jewish perspective and share the spiritual insights and values of the Jewish tradition with the people of this parish. This, of course, not so much an exercise in comparative religion, or even an interfaith dialogue, as it is rather an enrichment of an intrinsic element of your own faith and heritage as Christians, or as spiritual seekers grounded in this particular broad, inclusive faith community.

Mainstream contemporary Christian theology is deeply focused on a reappraisal of the 2000 years of the Hellenistic or Greco-Roman direction that the early Church opted for as a cultural and political expedient. And part of this process is a conscious reclamation and return to the essential Jewish values and perspectives that were, historically, more authentic to the original faith and teaching of the Rabbi of Nazareth, and his first followers. This is the context for the shared learning and worship between Emmanuel Church and Boston Jewish Spirit in our creative new partnership together in the Emmanuel Center, and it is also the framework for my teaching and preaching here among you.

Now it has occurred to me that one effective way to approach this exploration, would be to build on what you already know about Judaism – without even realizing it! And a very important link between Judaism and Christianity that you do know – and, in fact, is at the core of the identity of this church – is its Hebrew name, “Emmanuel”!  You are indeed speaking Hebrew every time you use this term – this is only one of many Hebrew language terms and concepts that you are already familiar with as part of your own Jewish spiritual inheritance… again, perhaps even without being conscious of it .

Like all Hebrew terms and phrases, which are not so much words as they are rich, multi-layered concepts, the name Emmanuel has a variety of complex meanings and possible interpretations.  It is rather interesting that this word is so well known as a congregational name in both Jewish and Christian practice ! In the Jewish community, there are so many Temple Emanuel’s that it is often joked that they are a synagogue franchise ! And in Christian usage, many churches, particularly Episcopal and Lutheran parishes – and a number of colleges, such as the Roman Catholic institution here in Boston – also chose this patronal name – some like yourselves transliterating it correctly with an “E”, and others using the Greek form, with an “I”.  This popularity is all the more remarkable when we consider that the word Emmanuel is actually rather obscure in the Biblical text – occurring only three times in the entire Scriptures – twice in  the Book of Isaiah, and once, quoting that earlier reference, in the first chapter of  Matthew’s gospel in the New Testament.

The word was originally used as a proper name – as it still is, with variant spellings, in Hispanic, Latino and Italian culture. According to the literal, historical context, Isaiah foretold the birth of a benevolent new ruler, King Hezekiah, in Isaiah’s own time, in the late 8th Century B.C.E. This was the famous text  “Behold, a young woman will conceive and bear a son, whose name will be called Emmanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). Hezekiah was destined to become one of the most revered and righteous of the Biblical Jewish kings. In this tumultuous period of internal moral corruption and disastrous invasion in ancient Israel, the prophet regarded Hezekiah as a faithful servant of God, a foe of idolatry, a builder of Jerusalem and a conscientious and just protector of the people... hence the reverential name suggesting his symbolic representation of the Divine Presence. Of course later Christian interpretation, beginning with Matthew’s use of the earlier text, endowed this verse with Messianic implications – mistranslated (with all due respect) the Hebrew to read “virgin” instead of “young woman”, and employed it as a proof text, referring to the birth of Jesus, 800 years later.

Now regardless of the various historical and theological interpretations, it is the actual literary meaning of the word Emmanuel  that is the key to its major significance as a concept. The word is actually a grammatical composite – “Eem”, meaning “with” ; “anu”, meaning “us” – and “El” – the ancient word for “God” in Hebrew and other middle eastern languages – including the Arabic form, “Allah”…

Emmanuel… “GOD IS WITH US”…in and of itself, a powerful proclamation, reflecting the uniqueness of the Jewish understanding of God in the religious history of civilization. Never, before the emergence of early Judaism 4000 years ago, had the Divine been conceived as being in personal relationship with humanity. The idea that human beings were created by One God, in the Divine image, that we were in a covenantal relationship with God, who loved and cared for all people, was a radical and revolutionary idea in the ancient world. To say that God, the Cosmic Creator, is with us – near to us – present in our lives and experiences – was indeed an unprecedented concept as it became, early on, the essential belief of Biblical Jewish faith.

EMMANUEL…“GOD IS WITH US”…is again, a complex Hebrew concept that goes  beyond the simple, literal translation of the words themselves. There are a number of profound truths being proclaimed here – and the Hebrew suggests a number of possible meanings – each reflected in the way we read and hear the phrase. The first is:

                                                “GOD is WITH us”…

This is the most common reading, again the heretofore unheard of belief that the Creator of the Universe is not only a transcendent supernatural Force - a remote Olympus like deity, removed from human experience – but is rather in deep relationship with us… present in us and among us…the Source and impulse for good – for love – for justice and peace – in our lives and in the world.

The second possible reading,   “GOD is with US”,  is not meant to imply a smug, self-righteous, “God is on our side” arrogance – but rather does it humble us with awe, and reminds us that the Spirit of Life is Present in every moment – witnessing every action. It holds out the ethical mandate of compassion and justice – and the plural form is so key to this understanding. The word certainly does not say, “GOD is with ME”! As it is, too many people are convinced that they are indeed the center of the universe… that they alone have the direct revelation of truth – that their needs and wellbeing take precedence over all  others. The words “GOD is with US” teaches us that God’s Presence embraces all of us, and places us in a broader community with others. Of course, each of us, as individuals, must indeed seek our own understanding and experience of the Divine. Each of us must go on our own personal spiritual journey of faith… but it cannot end there. The fullest encounter with the Divine takes place not in solitude, but in the quality of our relationships with other people.

GOD is WITH us…

GOD is with US…

Two important readings of the word Emmanuel.

But there is yet another possible interpretation…one that may well have the most compelling significance for many of us.

Unlike those who spoke this word two and three thousand years ago, for whom there was no question of God’s reality, presence and power, we in the 21st century struggle with faith. We are not always sure what we mean when we say GOD…often not sure we can say that word with integrity at all.  Our materialistic, technological age has deadened our spirits and dulled our creativity and our imagination. The knowledge that we have gained through scientific research and discovery has created skepticism, rather than a deepened understanding and appreciation of the complexity of God’s work. Belief in a God who is WITH us, or with US, does not come easily, and a personal relationship with a loving, merciful God seems remote to many people. And yet the challenge that confronts us is that of opening our minds and hearts to the possibility of Divine encounter… and to broaden our perspectives, to embrace understandings of God that transcend those of the past.

And here is where the rich and wonderful word EMMANUEL holds out special potential for our modern religious quest. Because in addition to understanding this word to mean “GOD is WITH us”, or “GOD is with US”, it can also be read a third way:

                                                  “God IS : with US” !

                                                “God IS : with US” !!!

Just think about this… a liberating, empowering view of faith for many people today is the affirmation that the reality and presence of the Divine is primarily manifest and experienced within human community. What and Where God IS, is with – in - and among, US!  The Divine is not necessarily only to be understood as an external reality or a supernatural being -  a difficult or impossible notion for many individuals to conceive. Is it then possible to say that God’s own being is inseparable from our human relationships and community?

Faith does not have to be limited to the traditional understandings and expressions of belief that are a stumbling block for so many people today – who cannot accept the anthropomorphic images of old men with white beards looking like Albus Dumbledore sitting on a heavenly throne… showering blessings or zapping lightening bolts at us to keep us in line.  Can we not rather define God as the Force for order…harmony… meaning…goodness…and ultimately, love -  in the Universe? Is it possible to say that God’s own existence is indeed inseparable from our human relationships and community? Might we consider that what God truly is, is the impulse within us for peace and justice that transforms and redeems human society?  Might Emmanuel actually be referring to this last reading of the Hebrew – that God is most clearly revealed and experienced in our own hearts… in the eyes of those we love… in the coming together of different people to form an us rather than the division of people to form a them ?

The fact is that the word Emmanuel truly embraces all of these possible meanings, and offers us a broad range of intellectual and spiritual options, both transcendent and humanistic. It proclaims diverse understandings of faith and community that seem to be so appropriate to the broad, inclusive, values of this parish, which Providentially inherited this name from earlier generations for whom the word Emmanuel may well have had narrower or more traditional connotations. The rich possibilities of this word… and its embrace both of the cosmic and the human elements of faith, do indeed make it a fitting ideal and mission for this particular church, which proclaims as its mission an embracing faith that – to paraphrase – “ knows God in knowing others – serves God in serving others – and loves God in loving others”… What better reflection of the word Emmanuel as meaning God IS = with US!

Friends, this is a time of transition, as this parish – approaching its 150th Anniversary - embarks on a period of reflection and discernment of its identity and mission for the future. As you seek to understand yourselves as a spiritual community, may the challenges and possibilities of this church’s historic name, inspire and guide you along the way…

Emmanuel …

GOD is WITH us!

GOD is with US!

God IS… with US !

Amen