"'The Newport Beach Tea Party', Free Gifts, and Freedom!"
There are many surfers around that still remember the infamous "surfing tax" levied by the city fathers of Newport Beach in the late '60's! For those younger surfers or for those with short memories, it seems that such a mad scheme could only be hatched by people devoid of soul, driven to debauchery by profit worship gone berzerk!
Yet, for many surfers, this "taxation without representation" was the last straw in a repression of one of the true gifts of freedom for the individual in society: the simple act of enjoying the greatest act of Creation, our ocean!
Truly, the concept of the surfer's interaction with the marvels and grandeur of our ocean is nearly represented in this week's Torah portion, V'Ithanan. We ask for this "free gift" (regardless of our deeds or merits, as Rashi (z"l) points out, Deut. 3-23), the simplest gift of all, without hesitation, "taxation", or any other considerations!
In a technological, fastpaced world, it's comforting to know that there's one time-honored freedom still available- a "free gift" for all!
Surf Trip in Baja California, Ensenada! Don't miss out!! Fun, fun, fun! Aug 21-24. See our web page. "Surf & Soul" Baja Shabbaton in cool Baja!!
Rabbi Nachum Shifren "The Surfing Rabbi" Email: rabbisurf@aol.com
Surf & Soul Online: http://www.surfingrabbi.com
P.O. Box 654, Jerusalem, 91006 * Israel Tel: (03) 906-7281 * Fax: (03) 906-7280