Rap Battle: The Law And The Prophets!

As a theatre person, people often ask me, “What was your favorite show that you were in?” and they always seem a little surprised when my response is Fiddler On The Roof. Fiddler is not your typical epic tap dance number with spectacular costumes, or a show stopping song, or a Rodgers and Hammerstein feel good kind of musical, but it was MY very first musical and the one that captured my entire being that pulled me in hook, line, and sinker to the world of theatre. My life has been forever changed by that one experience when I was bit by the theatre bug, but also by a love for devout Judaism. 

The story opens with a poignant monologue by the main character, Tevye, setting the stage like this: 

“A fiddler on the roof. Sounds crazy, no? But here, in our little village of Anatevka, you might say every one of us is a fiddler on the roof trying to scratch out a pleasant, simple tune without breaking his neck. It isn't easy. You may ask 'Why do we stay up there if it's so dangerous?' Well, we stay because Anatevka is our home. And how do we keep our balance? That I can tell you in one word: tradition!”

The opening song, “Tradition”, proudly introduces this small Jewish village to the audience with each group singing about their daily life according to their Jewish customs. It is powerful and the composition of the song along with its rich lyrics immediately invites the audience in and the message is clear: Jews honor tradition with every fiber of their being, in every minute of the day, and there is no room for those that are lukewarm in their religious practice. 

Tevye might actually be my favorite character of all time because he is feisty and hot headed, proud and obstinate, witty and hyperbolic, but on the inside he is just a big teddy bear, soft and cuddly, sweet and sensitive, struggling to grow, wanting what is right, and just so darn vulnerable. His teenage daughters start to challenge some of the Jewish customs, as teenagers often do, and the play is really a glimpse into Tevye’s grappling with progress vs. tradition, and understanding the why behind the laws. Tevye’s journey is not an easy one and he has many a lively conversation with God about the changing world. His heart is torn between the old and the new. Today’s gospel has these same undertones. 

In the Torah there are a total of 623 laws that the Jews must learn and follow. There are three entire books dedicated to teach these laws (Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) and they literally cover everything including which hand to wipe your booty with. The law was established to instill the importance of obedienc in people, and of course to address issues that needed to be addressed, very similar to our own laws like driving the speed limit and not stealing, etc. Laws are very important and they became everything to the Jewish people (insert the song “Tradition” from Fiddlerhere). Holy Days and Feast Days were the anchor and Judaism’s rich customs and liturgies helped every Jew get back to their center and focus on God’s faithfulness in their lives. 

When the Israelites lost sight of the why behind their laws and began to practice them out of habit or routine, God sent them the prophets to remind them of the reason, which is of course to soften their hearts to be as close to God as possible. Discipline puts God in control and allows us to surrender our will to His will. It was the prophets that introduced the coming of the Messiah that would save them all from oppression and despair. The law and the prophets were the center of the Jewish faith, tradition, and daily lives. Every Jew was trained extensively in knowledge of them, however, the law and the prophets both only existed to point the way to Jesus…belief and acceptance of Messiah was their primordial purpose!

Like Tevye, the Jews in today’s gospel, thought their traditions were being threatened by this rogue whippersnapper named Jesus and they were doing their own rendition of the song “Tradition” (today I’m picturing an ancient rap battle Hamilton-style: “The Papas! The Mamas! The Sons! The Daughters! TRADITION y’all!!) Jesus is saying simmer down friends, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.” Don’t you get it? I’m the one your traditions have prepared you to receive, so follow all of those traditions and they will GPS you right to me. Everything will be accomplished at some point in time (2^ndcoming) and then we will be able to say, “it is finished”, but until then: “Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as... as... as a fiddler on the roof!” 

How do the Jewish law and the prophets translate to us? The gospels! Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all that the law and the prophets mean and were made for, so if you follow him and adhere to what he teaches in the gospels, then you are on the right track. I know that I need constant reminders to be able to stay on that path, to not be consumed with the meaningless things of this world, and to keep my eyes fixed on him. Obedience to love is key. It is well with my soul. 

Reading 1 DT 4:1, 5-9

Moses spoke to the people and said:
"Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decrees
which I am teaching you to observe,
that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land 
which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. 
Therefore, I teach you the statutes and decrees
as the LORD, my God, has commanded me,
that you may observe them in the land you are entering to occupy.
Observe them carefully,
for thus will you give evidence
of your wisdom and intelligence to the nations,
who will hear of all these statutes and say,
'This great nation is truly a wise and intelligent people.'
For what great nation is there
that has gods so close to it as the LORD, our God, is to us
whenever we call upon him?
Or what great nation has statutes and decrees
that are as just as this whole law
which I am setting before you today?

"However, take care and be earnestly on your guard
not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen,
nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live,
but teach them to your children and to your children's children."

Responsorial Psalm PS 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20

R. (12a)  Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem;
praise your God, O Zion.
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates;
he has blessed your children within you.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
He sends forth his command to the earth;
swiftly runs his word!
He spreads snow like wool;
frost he strews like ashes.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
He has proclaimed his word to Jacob,
his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.
He has not done thus for any other nation;
his ordinances he has not made known to them.
R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.

Verse Before The Gospel SEE JN 6:63C, 68C

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life;
you have the words of everlasting life.

Gospel MT 5:17-19

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.
I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.
Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,
not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter
will pass from the law,
until all things have taken place.
Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments
and teaches others to do so
will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.
But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments
will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven."