First a little Talmud on the role of witnesses:
In a commentary on the Talmud, the Rebbe speaks of two types of witnesses: Adei Kiyum (establishment witnesses) and Adei Birur (verification witnesses). Basically, Halachic witnesses play two roles: (1) For future reference their testimony verifies the truth of what transpired, (2) and that their presence establishes the fact. For example, witnesses at a wedding ceremony. (1) Their testimony can be drawn on years later to verify the account of the Chuppah, but also (2) their presence at the Chuppah is what legally establishes the wedding, and without which the marriage does not Halachicly happen.
The same is true when it comes to disproving witnesses, as this week’s Parsha of Shoftim tells us, there are two paths: (1) One is to challenge the testimony, to dispute the story. Other witnesses may come along and testify that the situation or story was different. (2) The second way to disprove a witness would for another set of witnesses to come along, and while they don’t challenge or dispute the narrative or story itself, they testify that the testifying witnesses could not have been at that place and at that time, for they were with them in a different location at that very same time. So – we have these same two categories: Is the issue (1) the content of their words, the narrative of the story, or (2) the presence of the witnesses themselves.
You see these two aspects in life all the time:
> There’s so much that a teacher conveys through his/her teaching and curriculum, but there’s also a lot that is taught simply by the the teacher’s presence, how s/he carries her/himself, who they are and what they represent – even before they say a word.
> Parents say things and do things to help their children, but a big part of that is simply being present. Simply being there can be half the story.
> Head counselors in camp have a lot of work, much to juggle, etc – but to a large part its how they present themselves to the campers and how their mere presence makes a difference. How they project their presence is key.
There are many more examples of this, but these job roles fit some of our guests here this Shabbos.
How this relates to Jewish campus life:
This is also quite fitting for opening/freshman weekend at UAlbany. Each individual student contributes so much to our campus community. Each person brings their talents and hobbies, the background experience and their accumulated knowledge, their unique personality and character strengths.
While all that is meaningful and important, there’s also the Woody Allen quote: “Eighty percent of success in life is just showing up!” The percentage may be exaggerated, but a similar truth can be said about Jewish life on campus. A huge part of successful Jewish life is simply showing up. Your presence matters, your being here makes a difference.