Story Tour

Crews go out everyday on treks. The paths they follow require them to use all their resources. The trekkers are challenged at every stage of their journey, but they grow through the experience.

They cannot complete their trek without using the values they have learned through their faith and Scouting, values like honesty, friendship, loyalty and trustworthiness.

A medieval Jewish scholar taught about the importance of values in a world very familiar to trekker and all Scouts, the forest, mountains and the great outdoors.

The Eagle, the Birds, the Lion, the Beasts, and the Bat

The eagle ruled over all winged creatures, whether on land or bough, and the lion over all cattle and beasts from all remote ends of the earth. The eagle and the birds made war with the lion and all the beasts and cattle. Said the bat in his heart, for wickedness engulfed him: “I have wings like the birds and feet like the cattle and beasts. I know not which host will prevail over the other, or who will die or be taken captive or be crushed. I shall stand as an onlooker and see which side be strong or weak, and my hand shall be with the folk whose hand prospers and prevails.”

So he withdrew from the armies and watched to see what would happen. He took his stand upon a tall tree in the distance and said: “It is a time of battle for the birds and not a time of play. I shall lift my eyes to the victors to help them. I shall abide quiet and look forth from my perch.” When he saw that the beasts had the upper hand and that confusion had fallen upon the army of the birds, he descended from the tree and went on all fours, and swore to all the beasts and the cattle to help with all his might. And he said: “Be strong and do battle. Let not the winged creatures escape; let every one be strong against them.” But as the day waned toward evening the battle waxed strong; the birds gathered might, and confusion fell upon the lion’s army. Said the bat in his heart: “I will return to mine own people; I will no longer continue in sorrow with the lion’s forces. I will fly up and perch, and I will hide my feet under my wings.”

So he gathered his feet between his shoulders to make himself wings and quickly flew among the birds and said: “Strengthen your weak hands and inflict bruises and wounds and festering sores upon the beasts and the cattle that walk on all fours.” But the birds recognized the bat and said: “Why are you so changed to walk among us so willfully? In the morning we saw you with the lion’s forces, walking on all fours like them, when their hand was strong; and you did put your hand forth against our position, when you were a bird like ourselves. But when we prevailed, then did you spread your wings toward us. Blood have you hated, and blood will pursue you. Wherefore have you mocked your skin and worked deception and unrighteousness?

Your ambush is within you, for now that you are returned to those of whom you were ashamed, the iniquity in you is found out. This shall be your penalty: You shall be accounted among the species of creeping things. A wanderer and a vagabond shall you be in the land. For that you have played the stranger with your fellows so shall your seed be, black and plucked and bald and blind, and strangers in our midst. You shall no more walk with neck outstretched. The light of the sun will be for you blindness. Leprous and a vermin shall you be called. Of every encounter shall you be afraid.”

So they spoke against him, and they brought him to the eagle, which said: “Is this he who simulated the cattle and the beasts? For that his spirit is false he shall be plucked and bald and shall flee from the light of the sun. In the evening he shall flit about as one confused. Not even in the tenth generation shall he enter into the congregation. He shall not stand upon his feet if the sun shines upon him.” And so they plucked him and scraped him and blinded his eyes, and they drove him confounded from the dwelling places which they inhabited, and all the birds of heaven became strangers unto him. Now he is like neither bird nor beast; they call him vermin upon the earth.

The parable is for one who sees his friend or relative fall under the power of his enemy, and addresses the enemy with flattering words. With the strong he pretends strength, for crooked gain; but if the lowly acquire firmness and strength, with his false heart he returns to become his comrade, for he knows no shame or remorse. And with this comradeship he acts faithlessly, saying: “I have strengthened and helped you and with the right hand of my righteousness I supported you when the hand of your enemy was strong upon you. I did not slacken in the day of tribulation.” What befell the bat will befall him in the end, and he will leave no name or remnant. His fate is fitted to the pattern carved: The wicked shall not be unpunished.

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Last night again I had a minyan, but the boys were not as enthusiastic to participate in leading the service.  It really feels good to pray and say all of the prayers of the service including Kaddish.

Today I go into a backcountry camp, Zastrow, to conduct a Jewish service.  This campus special and that at one time it was used exclusively for what that’s training.  In one of the buildings in the camp is a Wood badge Museum I visited it once and it was fantastic.

The opportunity to do a backcountry Jewish religious service is exciting and the  boys enjoyed it very much.  I did an abbreviated Mincha service.  The boys enjoyed the story I told more than the service but then again the stories to touch a place in their hearts and prayer does not.

Another Jewish crew has asked me to do a backcountry service on Friday, July 11.  One member of the crew has asked for the opportunity to say Kaddish as it is the Yahrziet of a dear family member of theirs.

The dining hall at Philmont did an excellent job providing kosher food for the kosher crows and boys that request to kosher food.  It means a lot to receive a nice prepared meal instead of a trail meal in base camp.

There are many opportunities for Jewish Scouts and Scouters at Philmont and I hope to see an increase in the number of Jewish scouts coming out on treks.

Shalom,

Rabbi Rock

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Last night we had more than a minyan at services.  According to an account there were 16 Jewish people last night.  Three members of crew 629J2 lead the services and did a wonderful job.  At first the boys for little apprehensive but they quickly rose to the task.  As a Scouter, I believe in encouraging youth leadership at all scouting events, as a rabbi I try to get participation from the young people so as to strengthen their Jewish identity, Jewish pride in Jewish spirituality.

After services last evening, a young man spoke with me and said that one of the things that affected him most in Hebrew school was an old Yiddish song (Dona Dona) we talked for some time and he told me that he was searching for meaning in his Judaism.  I told him to keep asking questions and encouraged him to participate in Jewish scouting events.

He sadly reminded me of something that is all too true and that is sometimes the information that we have concerning all of the great Jewish programming we have in scouting (Scout Shabbat, Chanuka parties, Kinusim and other exciting activities) does not always reach Jewish Scouts in many of our areas.

The young man was very excited and said when he returns to his home Council he is going to contact the local Jewish committee and find out how his troop could become more active in Jewish scouting events.

I’m a bit excited because I was asked to do sunrise services for two Rayado treks yesterday morning.  It was very wet as it had rained all night and into the morning and the location for the service was changed three times.  The crews agreed that the Jewish chapel in the Cimarroncito Camp was a fine location (mainly because it was dry inside) I had prepared a Scouts Own service for the crews, but they insisted on a Jewish service.  When I asked why.  They told me that they found the Jewish stories I tell to be very uplifting and they enjoy them very much.

I have been asked by a Jewish crew to conduct a service in the backcountry (Zastro Camp) on 702. This is really a great opportunity for me to do a backcountry service, have a minyan and to share with the boys.

I’ve been very busy, and therefore have not contributed much to the blog lately.  I will try to be more conscientious but my schedule is very tight and sometimes in the evenings I’m just too tired to do anything but say Shema and go to sleep.

Shalom from Philmont,

Rabbi Rock

I hope some who are reading the blog will respond with a comment at Shana has been looking forward to seeing people’s responses until it’s the postings on the blog and is just a little bit disappointed.

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I know it’s been some time since I last posted, but we have been real busy.

It was kind of funny watch my father lead the services for Shavous especially since the prayer book used at Philmont had no prayers for the holiday.  So my father was juggling with two prayerbooks and a TNaCh so that everyone could benefit from the holiday service.

It was amazing that so many people have come for the holiday meals (which was cheese kugel, salt and pepper kugel, blintzes with sour cream and cheese danish is for dessert).  There was a lot of discussion and everyone had fun.  I was even a little surprised because I have waited almost 18 years to hear my father explain the Lost Princess story.  I see that he doesn’t exaggerate when he says that every part of the story has a special meaning and in a way I see why he ends the story with his favorite line, “I am the mere teller of the tale and I leave you with all of the wonder and mystery and secrets of the tale.”

Shabbos here at Philmont is usually quiet time for my father, but every Friday night we have a special meal and are joined by so many people.  It seems like my father when he is not telling stories at the Shabbos table is answering a lot of questions.

My father does a lot and everyone at Philmont knows Rabbi Rock.  Would you believe that if he does not visit certain places (the trading Post and medical recheck) they hunt them down and let him know that they did not receive their daily greeting.  He seems to walk around a lot and goes to a lot of places but I see how important his job is and how serious he takes it.

One of the treks that came to Philmont brought three boxes of books for the rabbis and study the boys were from Boy Scout troop 806 out of Houston, Texas.  They brought pocket-size prayerbooks, chumashs and other books of Jewish interest.  My father was so excited that he sent a pocket-sized Jewish prayer book to almost all of the backcountry camps at Philmont to add to their special religious box that every camp has.

I have been doing volunteer work at the handicrafts lodge and enjoy it very much.  A normal fathers proud of me in with what I do even though he does poke me with playful jabs, I’m having a lot of fun and I’m enjoying every moment of it.

I finished most of my requirements for my Trust Award and Bronze Award, but have to wait and on my home a crew.  That’s a little bit of a bummer.

I know some of you have been worried about my father’s health, I assure you the rabbi is doing fine.  Would you believe he actually spoke to one of the doctors here at Philmont said that he’s doing fairly well, but was a little concerned about his weight loss.  Since April he’s lost 38 pounds, and everybody says it looks good.

If anyone here is the rabbi complaining about the picture in the PhilNews, just ignore him.  I think the picture is fine.  He thinks it looks like a mountain rabbi (and we’re not talking about Mount Sinai here).  I think he just needs something to talk about.

It’s been very dry and windy here and finally today we had some rain and hail.  We are doing fine.  The rabbi is enjoying everything about Philmont and he is indeed on the mend.

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Memorial Day has its beginnings in the Civil War. To New Mexico and other states of the Confederacy it was known as the War between the States, and so it was as brother fought against one another. Memorial Day meant a lot and the sacrifices for the freedoms we take for granted everyday are what so many have died to protect.

Yesterday, the staff and Chaplains stood around the American flag and expressed how much they appreciated the freedom and free will our country fought so hard for. As we stood there, each Chaplain read famous sonnets and poems to commemorate the day. Poems such as “The Bivouac Of The Dead,” and “The Blue and The Grey,” and “In Flanders Fields” were read.

The one that had stood out the most for me was when they read the verses of a song sung by one of my favorite singers, Johnny Cash, entitled “Ragged Old Flag.”

Ragged Old Flag

I walked through a county courthouse square,
On a park bench an old man was sitting there.
I said, “Your old courthouse is kinda run down.”
He said, “Naw, it’ll do for our little town.”
I said, “Your old flagpole has leaned a little bit,
And that’s a Ragged Old Flag you got hanging on it.”

He said, “Have a seat,” and I sat down.
“Is this the first time you’ve been to our little town?”
I said, “I think it is.” He said, “I don’t like to brag,
But we’re kinda proud of that Ragged Old Flag.

“You see, we got a little hole in that flag there

When Washington took it across the Delaware.
And it got powder-burned the night Francis Scott Key
Sat watching it writing O’ Say Can You See.
And it got a bad rip in New Orleans
With Packingham and Jackson tuggin’ at its seems.

“And it almost fell at the Alamo
Beside the Texas flag, but she waved on though.
She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville
And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill.
There was Robert E. Lee, Beauregard, and Bragg,
And the south wind blew hard on that Ragged Old Flag.

“On Flanders Field in World War I
She got a big hole from a Bertha gun.
She turned blood red in World War II.
She hung limp and low by the time it was through.
She was in Korea and Vietnam.
She went where she was sent by her Uncle Sam.

“She waved from our ships upon the briny foam,
And now they’ve about quit waving her back here at home.
In her own good land here she’s been abused –
She’s been burned, dishonored, denied, and refused.

“And the government for which she stands
Is scandalized throughout the land.
And she’s getting threadbare and wearing thin,
But she’s in good shape for the shape she’s in.
‘Cause she’s been through the fire before
And I believe she can take a whole lot more.

“So we raise her up every morning, take her
down every night.
We don’t let her touch the ground and we fold
her up right.
On second thought, I do like to brag,
‘Cause I’m mighty proud of the Ragged Old Flag.”

============================================

It’s amazing how something written over thirty years ago can hold as much truth now as it did back then.

The Philmont Memorial Day Program was put together by my father, Rabbi Rock

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Last night was the first service in Base Camp. I was pleased to me a Jewish staffer from Atlanta. We had a delightful conversation. He expressed that he finds more of his Judaism in the outdoors than he ever did in religious school.

How many of the young people we come in contact through the various Scouting programs feel a disconnect with their beliefs and are looking for meaning. For this reason we need to provide a good Jewish Scouting experience for all Scouts.

The outdoors holds a special place in our beliefs and these teachings are often lost amid a curriculum of prayer, holiday observances, Torah study and Jewish history. Sometimes one gets very much overloaded and misses the warmth, beauty and love of being Jewish.

Within the storm of questions and the natural curiosity of faith, one can many times find answers:

As they walked down the path through the forest the sky grew dark and a storm began to brew. Soon the quiet of the night was broken by the crash of thunder and the rain fell in torrents. Lightning streaked the sky as the two travelers
looked for shelter from the wind and rain.

Suddenly the men heard the crackle of lightning and the roar of thunder and saw in the distance a bright light. Tam stared at the light and was afraid. Chacham began to work his way toward the light. Tam, not wanting to be left alone, reluctantly followed Chacham. As they blazed a new path toward the
light the rain and wind stopped.

Soon, Tam and Chacham were in a clearing walking toward a tree that was on fire. Tam was afraid of the bright light and blazing fire. He looked down to the ground and would not move. Chacham went right up to the tree and looked into
flames.

Chacham went over to Tam and took him by the hand and led him to the burning tree. Tam came very slowly, but Chacham was very insistent. For Tam it was difficult, but he trusted Chacham.

As they drew near the flames Tam felt the warmth and he began to listen to Chacham who started to tell him stories and teach him wisdom. All night, Tam and Chacham stayed in the light and warmth of the blazing tree.

For you see Chacham, understood that the burning tree could provide warmth and light. Tam only knew the fire and the crashing thunder and was afraid.

So it is that those who don’t understand and rely solely on what they see, they are afraid of the unknown.

The Torah is referred to as the etz chaim, the tree of life. Those who embrace it, learning and live by its wisdom are not afraid of the darkness, storms, lightning or thunder.

As scout’s we learn about ourselves, our community, the wonders of nature, and our beliefs. Let us all grow in wisdom so one day we too can be called Chacham.

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It’s Sunday in the first Shabbos at Philmont is passed.  It was kind of lonely as staff are still arriving, PTC has not begun its sessions and the crews are not scheduled to arrive until the second week of June. I have spoken with the commissary director, to kitchen director and backcountry supply about kosher food.  Hopefully by the end of this week the kosher food issues will be completely resolved.  Some products that were used last year that were certified kosher have changed ingredients and I must verify that they are still under kosher certification. Is shaping up to be an interesting summer as I have already received requests for kosher food, yahrzeit observances, a bar mitzvah request and backcountry religious services. Today I reviewed with the rest of the chaplains to backcountry religious boxes.  The Jewish content of these boxes is woefully needy.  I am going to try to get small siddurim and “Jewish” Bibles to put in these boxes. It seems everywhere I’ve gone people are glad to see me and it is as though it was only yesterday that we were all film on together.

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The passed few days have been rough. We left Monday night, and had not arrived at Philmont until early Thursday morning. The ride there was a hectic one, one filled with cramped backs and no showers. It didn’t help that we had no air-conditioning either. Traveling through the states was an experience though. We had driven through Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. We survived off of gas station food and lots of coffee. I am also proud to say we never got lost once along the way. We had briefly stopped to visit the St. Louis Arch. Things had changed there in the past ten years I was told. There wasn’t much to do, since everything was closed by six thirty, which seemed a little ridiculous.

Having traveled across the states we finally arrived to our destination Philmont, New Mexico. While not much has started yet, I can already see familiar faces and am positive this will be the beginning of another great summer filled with adventure and excitement.

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The Philmont season begins soon and already I’m getting emails from crews to meet some of their Jewish needs. It is so great to see the concern and effort that the crews go to to have not only an adventure on the trail, but also to have a spiritual adventure at Philmont.

Kosher food is an easy request to meet. Philmont has kosher food, upon request. What most people don’t know is that there are kosher pots and utensils available for crews to use in the backcountry.

For crews that are in base camp on Friday evening there is a Shabbos Dinner in the Chaplain’s study. Home cooked kosher food.

Shavuos comes upon us very soon. There will be plenty of holiday food and special activities on the first night of Shavuos. Come join the fun and share the holiday together.

There are service everyday in base camp at the Jewish Chapel. Come and meet other Scouts and make new friends. Everyday there is a special message and there are always the wonderful Jewish stories he tells.

This year there have been some questions about Yahrzeit. This is a very special commemoration that should not be skipped. I suggest that if the unit is not in Base Camp, schedule with the Rabbi to conduct a backcountry service on the trail. This can be a very special and memorable experience.

Shabbos is coming soon and I’ve got to get ready, do some running, start cooking, and other things.

We leave on Monday night for Philmont. We plan to take our time and drive to Philmont.

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Well, is very early on Tuesday morning, just five days before we leave to go to Philmont. We are planning to drive out to Philmont this year and have been preparing to take a few necessities with us.

Last year we had some problems with kosher food, especially meat, chicken and fish. This year we plan to take in few coolers filled with kosher food that is difficult to get at Philmont.

The excitement is almost palpable as I plan religious services, evening get-togethers, Shabbos dinners, learning and what everybody is waiting for, stories. It looks like this will be a summer of adventure, fun a chance to meet with old
friends and to make new friends.

Shalom,

Rabbi Rock

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