I’ll Take You There

The Staple Singers reached number one in 1972 with their hit, “I’ll take you there.” I remembered this song while reading through Deuteronomy! The final book of the Torah recalls Moses’ leadership, taking the Hebrews to the edge of the Promised Land. For Forty years, Moses reminded the people that God would take them there.

“I’ll take you there”, the song, offers the hope of an Edenic locale where “ain’t no body crying, ain’t nobody worried.” The song contrasts the promised land with the harsh reality of the African American experience. The lyrics describe that heavenly place with “no more smilin’ faces lyin’ to the races.”

How can we get to a place without strife and oppression? Lead singer Mavis Staples calls out, “somebody help me now.” The chorus responds, “I’ll take you there.” The song teaches that it takes a partnership for us to reach a better place. Moses offered the same lesson.

As a storytelling device, Deuteronomy anticipates crossing over into a promised land. Moses has brought the people to the doorstep. But he did not enter the land with them. Moses recognized the need for caring relationships and collaboration among the people. He advised them to subsume their egotism to the greater good. In parshat Re’eh (See!) Moses adjourns the people:

לֹ֣א תַעֲשׂ֔וּן כְּ֠כֹל אֲשֶׁ֨ר אֲנַ֧חְנוּ עֹשִׂ֛ים פֹּ֖ה הַיּ֑וֹם אִ֖ישׁ כָּל־הַיָּשָׁ֥ר בְּעֵינָֽיו

“You shall not act at all as we now act here, every person as they please, . . . “

The essence of Judaism, for me, is the focus on relationships rather than the individual. We are created to be helpmates to one another. If one calls out for help, others respond with chesed (loving-kindness). We pray as a minyan. We are encouraged to learn in pairs, as chevruta. We can envision a better future individually but realize a paradise only when we act collectively.

If we retreat into our own self-interest, Jewish ideals are not realized. When we act as we please, the entire world suffers. When selfishness masquerades as freedom, everyone suffers.

Judaism’s communitarianism has lessons for these times. We wear a mask to protect others. Israel offers aid to Lebanon in response to a Beirut explosion. Jewish Americans advocate for African Americans. Our religion puts forth the value of reaching out that makes a society civil.

We all know that this country can improve. There does not have to be hungry children, foul water, and choking smog. Economic gain only for the upper classes will destabilize our society. The government can promote and support advancement, rather than advocate self-interest. Nothing cannot take precedence over respect for life.

Like the song “I’ll take you there”, we need a call and response approach to life. If one person calls for help others should extend a hand. When we devote ourselves to each other rather than each doing as we please, we will arrive at the Promised Land, together.

Evan J. Krame