This is Heavy, Doc | Rabbi David Wein

Tikvat Israel Sermons

“This is Heavy, Doc.” In the movie, “Back to the Future,” made in 1985, this is the catchphrase of Marty Mcfly. When Marty says, “This is heavy” he means that something is awesome and beyond understanding. With a movie about time travel, it happens a lot. But I believe I found the word that Marty Mcfly would have used, had he spoke Hebrew: “Kavod.” Kavod means glory, but it’s related to the word for heavy, or weightiness. In short, the “Kavod” is the glorious presence and radiance of God, which should inspire reverence, awe, and honor in us. If Marty travelled back in time to see the Tabernacle, or the Temple, which had the ark of the covenant, I’m pretty sure he would say, “This is heavy, Doc.”

This will be our guide word this morning in our exploring of the Scriptures. And the "Kavod," the heaviness and weightiness of God’s glory, should inspire us to have more reverence and awe for God’s majesty. And why are we looking into this word? Because contempt for the Lord leads to judgment, but honor for the Lord leads to shalom and life.