Seems to Be

As many are aware, Television personality Stephen Colbert has decided to become involved in the race for the Republican Primary in South Carolina in a  way only he could.  Having missed the ballot deadline by a mere 2 ½ months, he and his facetious, but real SuperPac have been urging voters to cast a ballot for the still listed but no longer running Herman Cain.   His motive may be to cause mayhem, raise awareness of the role of unlimited contributions by political action committees, promote himself or, most probably all three. However, in any case, using a persona that parodies a certain kind of TV pundit, Colbert has carved a niche for himself in the public discourse and popular culture.  He also gets to do pretty much anything he wants including sing with James Taylor, Jam with guitar legend Peter Frampton or have his head shaved by Five Star General Ray Odierno.

I noticed something interesting, however, on his last show: a new motto has appeared on top of his virtual fireside hearth: Videri Quam Esse.  A little rusty Latin and some googling revealed that these words mean “To Seem, rather than to Be” and that they are a reversal of the phrase Esse Quam Videri found in several Roman treatises promoting integrity,  For Colbert, of course, this is part of the joke, to create a character, that seems to be a champion of a kind of patriotism, unsullied by any doubt or nuance, which lets him be his own very different self.

This play between Seeming and Being appears to fit the world of television perfectly. more surprising is to find this theme in the story we read in the Torah this week.   Moses is told that G*d appeared to earlier generations as "G*d of Abraham, G*d of Isaac, and G*d of Jacob" but did "they did not know" the persona YHVH (adonai).  It is not clear to us what that distinction means except to show that G*d is capable of being seen in one way, and yet be another.

 
How is it that the Source from which we derive truth and integrity, would be dealing with appearances and not with how things really are.

One way to understand this statement to Moses is that our perceptions really do become our realities.  There are times when a person will play an intentional character, or seek to deceive in a more malicious way.  However, at all times, the self we project is the self that impacts others, not whatever true reality we think is lurking behind the mask. 

The message to Moses is also important.  Up until and beyond this point, he insists that he is not the man to lead the people and to deliver the message to Pharaoh to let G*d's people go.  But G*d is adamant: speak these words, show these signs, and show yourself to the people and to Pharaoh as my messenger.  Then you will truly be a leader, despite what you think is your true nature. 

Sometimes "to be" also requires "to seem."   A lesson no one has to teach Colbert.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Michael