What Do You Want to Hear From Your Spiritual Leader?

This Friday night begins the holiest day on the Jewish calendar called Yom Kippur. It is an intense day of fasting and prayer, with a conclusion Saturday night of more prayer and then some bagels and lox.

For us Rabbis, this is the time when we prepare our sermons and little thoughts that we share with our congregations. We have to make sure that the T's are crossed and the I's are dotted to make sure that our words will be well received by our congregations. Most importantly, we have to become better people ourselves to be deserving to stand in front of our communities and try to teach and inspire.

But I have to admit, I struggle every year with what to talk about. I am not solving world peace, nor famine or global warming. I don't want to talk too simplistic and bore the crowd. I don't want to demand too much and go right over everyone's heads nor be petty and miss the point. 

The crowd seated before me is not one coming every week to services and therefore should be embraced and made to feel at home in a sometimes uncomfortable environment.

Being that we don't live in the Bible belt, I am sure it is the same way in many congregations of all religions and denominations.

Now, a Rabbi is not a politician and doesn't have to always say things that are liked by all. But to be condescending and holier-than-thou is equally as pointless.

So, what is the right chord to strike? Please share your ideas and suggestions.