| This 5785 we realize is a new year like no other: on Monday, we observed the one year anniversary of the horrific events of October 7. Much to our distress and dismay, Israel still continues to fight a war on four fronts. The events of the past few weeks weigh heavily on our minds and leave us feeling bereft and uneasy.These challenges can sometimes seem overwhelming, even paralyzing at times.
For those of us with family in the south-eastern United States, the devastation and destruction of two back-to-back hurricanes, Helene and Milton, is heartbreaking. One of my brothers lost his home and was permanently displaced in 2017 during Hurricane Harvey, in Houston, Texas. I have another brother, cousins, and many friends who live in and around the Gulf Coast of Florida. The damage wreaked by these two storms is unimaginable. My heart aches. It will take a very long time for life to return to “normal.” Many Jewish communities will not be observing Yom Kippur tonight due to lack of power, extreme flooding, road closures, and so much more. Our prayers will be their prayers. We hold them in our thoughts.
For many, it may feel difficult to hold onto hope or joy at this moment in time. Yet, here we are, on the brink of a new year. What do we do with our feelings of uncertainty, struggle, and challenge and how do we have hope for the future simultaneously? Beginning with Rosh Hashanah and continuing with Yom Kippur, I am offering a few different Jewish concepts to address our challenges: gratitude, laughter or joy, unity, courage and resilience.
The Hebrew word for “Jews” is “Y’hudim.” It shares the same root as the Hebrew word for “thanks” or “gratitude” – ho’da’ah. On Erev Rosh Hashanah I spoke about how we, the Jewish people, are a people of gratitude at our very essence. It is the manner in which we approach the world: with a spirit of thanksgiving and appreciation, even during times of crisis, stress, or challenge.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, former Chief Rabbi of England, of blessed memory, wrote about gratitude as a way to see life not through the lens of entitlement but through the lens of gifts. He taught that “the greatest single antidote to suffering is gratitude.” When we shift our perspective to recognize the blessings that still surround us, our hearts begin to open, and we reclaim a sense of agency over our lives. Even in the hardest moments, we can say: I am still here. I still have life, breath, and love.
On Rosh Hashanah morning, I spoke about the concept of laughter or joy. Even in the midst of anguish and war, hurricanes and destruction, we celebrate. Even when we are in mourning, we pause for the moments of joy. Joy always triumphs over fear. Celebration of sacred moments, sacred time, takes precedence in Jewish tradition over sorrow. To be Jewish is to stand tall, proud, and to affirm and celebrate life, even in the midst of our tears. We won’t let the enemy or natural disasters break our spirit and take away our joy. Surely, we will laugh again, we will dance with joy.
Gratitude and laughter, however, are not enough to enable us to survive and thrive as a Jewish people. Our survival is dependent upon Jewish unity firmly anchoring us like roots anchor a tree, providing fruit for generations to come. Jewish unity does not mean we all agree with each other. It does mean, however, that each of us, with our own individual ideas and ideals, opinions and beliefs, contributes to the success of our shared tomorrow. You will hear more about this tonight, during our Erev Yom Kippur service.
Tomorrow morning’s Torah portion begins: “Atem n’tzavim kulchem…you are standing here this day, all of you…(Deuteronomy 29:9). Jewish survival is also dependent upon our resilience and our remarkable courage. We stand here today because we are an incredibly resilient people. We have a remarkable ability to overcome challenge with determination and perseverance, and to discover new strengths, insights, and new paths forward. Our resilience is possible because of our spirit, our faith in God, and our recognition that courageous actions bring about lasting change.
As we approach Yom Kippur this evening, let us pause to express gratitude, even in times of challenge. We give thanks for the strength to face difficulties with resilience and for the joy that lifts our spirits in moments of connection with one another. Our unity as a people binds us together, giving us courage to move forward, no matter the hardships we endure. May this Yom Kippur inspire us to renew our commitments, find comfort in our togetherness, and emerge with a sense of hope, ready to meet the future with faith, determination, while forging stronger paths forward.
G’mar Chatimah Tova. May you be sealed for a good year.
Shabbat Shalom! |
