As the cultural critics reflected
on the past year, I heard several commentators talk about what a terrible year
2012 was. In many respects, events and incidents this past year feed the
pessimist lurking within all of us, even inveterate optimists like myself. The
horrific rise in gun violence, the ugly tone of divisiveness that accompanied
the election campaigns, and terrifying storms like Hurricane Sandy are but a
few of the sad memories of the past year. Each of these lingers into 2013 as we
imagine more of the same in the year to come.
And yet, as I look back on
the lives of people I know, there is much to celebrate and even more to
appreciate. Families celebrating new babies, b’nai mitzvah, weddings and
grandchildren bring smiles to our entire community. Our children’s academic
achievements, no matter how small or great, give us pride and hope for their
future. Many of us have been fortunate to travel to far-away places this past
year, or to find pleasure in family vacations at local haunts. Even friends who
have left jobs have created opportunities to seek out new directions and
develop new skills.
Dare we celebrate in the
face of the tragic events that overshadow our world? Can we feel joyful when
others are mourning?
As we concluded Bereishit, the Book of Genesis, last
Shabbat, I noted a similar tension between the trends of history and the lives
of individuals. The story of Jacob, and
rabbinic midrash that elaborate on it, provide a model for celebrating life
against the backdrop of historic events.
By the end of Genesis, Jacob
and his entire tribe have settled in Egypt. They have escaped famine in Canaan.
Joseph’s status as Pharaoh’s right-hand man has eased the way. However, as
Jacob was preparing to leave Beersheba, God spoke to him by night. Just as
Jacob had encountered God when he went into exile earlier in his life, here too
God promises him protection, saying, “Fear not to go down to Egypt, for I will
make you there into a great nation. I Myself will go down with you to Egypt,
and I Myself will also bring you back…” (Gen. 46:3-4) The reader knows, with some foreboding, that
this descent will include the physical and spiritual bondage that will lead to the
Exodus.
When Pharaoh and Jacob meet,
the ruler asks the patriarch, “How many are the years of your life?” and Jacob
answers, “The years of my sojourn are one hundred and thirty. Few and hard have
been the years of my life…” (Gen. 47:8-10) Indeed, Jacob has endured many
trials, betrayals, threats to his life, and personal losses. His life has not
been happy.
Jacob dwells in Egypt
seventeen years before his death. The Rabbis suggest that in that time, for the
first time in his life, he knew no sorrow. You might even say that, in his old
age, he lived a life of happiness and joy.
In another commentary, the
Rabbis also suggest that Jacob knew that his descendants would suffer as slaves
for hundreds of years. The question beckons: could Jacob have been truly happy,
or even without sorrow, knowing what the future would bring?
My answer lies in the
classic words of the great sage Hillel, who taught:
“If I am not concerned with myself, who will be? If I am
only concerned with myself, what am I? And if not now, when?” (Pirkei Avot 1:14)
Though our hearts may break
for the pain and injustice and terror in our world, we have a primary obligation to take good care of
ourselves. This means enjoying all the gifts that we have, ensuring that our
days are filled with joy and gratitude and not allowing ourselves to fall into
the clutches of despair.
However, we are not given
license to indulge in our own pleasure alone. We must answer the moral call to
take care of the world and our fellow creatures. Our fate is tied to theirs.
If not now, when? In every
moment, we can cultivate awareness of both sides of Hillel’s coin. We cannot
afford to wait to take care of ourselves; neither can we wait to bring justice
and compassion to the needs of our world and the arc of history.
Being part of a religious
community helps us to live in the seam between our private lives and the world.
This is the balance that we seek as members of HBT. In that spirit, I urge you to please consider the volunteer opportunities that are essential to maintaining our
high level of programming and community-building. Please find your place in our
congregational life. Please step up! If not now, when?
And may 2013 bring us many
occasions to celebrate, congregate, advocate and appreciate!
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