Rabbi Linda's blog

Following the Hebrew month of Tishrei, filled with busy, meaningful Jewish holy days and festivals, comes the month of
Cheshvan. While Cheshvan is typically a quiet month on the Jewish calendar, this year it corresponds to November, a full and challenging month on the American calendar. Election day, November 5, is almost here and tensions are mounting about what the outcome will mean for us and for our country. The air is charged. Anxiety abounds.

As we navigate this month and beyond, I’d like to suggest that we lean into the lessons from our Tishrei/October holy days to steady us for the days ahead. Specifically, our holy day season brought us face to face with the uncertainty and impermanence of life and guided us to meaning making through these existential truths. How? We acknowledge that we find meaning, that we taste eternity, by being present and awake to each moment and by staying true to our highest values. What are your highest values and how do you live into them every day? Torah has guided me to the insight that we are here, embodied on this earth, in order to love, to learn, to serve and to be present to joy. Regardless of what the world serves up, by staying true to this mission I have my anchor when the waters become rough. Might checking in with yourself about this mission or however you would frame it keep you centered through whatever comes next? We have so little control but we are invited to live mindfully and to take control of ourselves, our words, our deeds and our perspectives.

Torah wisdom can also guide us to hold the tension between acceptance/gratitude for what is and working hard to make the world a better place. We often quote the wisdom of Rabbi Tarfon from the Mishnah, Pirket Avot (2:16) teaching “It is not your responsibility to finish the work [of perfecting the world], but you are not free to desist from it either" We are asked to do our part, but only our part, only a part. And what else? We are asked to enjoy the blessings of this world. There is a whole category of blessing called Birkot HaNehenin, blessings of benefit or enjoyment. They may more aptly be called blessings for partaking in the world, blessings that invite us to be mindful and appreciate our experiences. These blessings encourage us to savor the holiness of seemingly mundane experiences, like nourishing the body, engaging with nature or seeing loved ones.

Our practices can help to keep us focused and healthy and confident that no matter which way the world turns, we know who we are and what we need to do. We are asked to remember who we are, to remember that life is a privilege, to remember that our lives are sacred and to remember why we are here. To learn. To love. To serve. To enjoy. This is a holy purpose.

So my friends, acknowledge the anxiety, but don’t get stuck in it. Take care of yourself in each domain: physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. Savor your blessings. Do your part to make the world a better place. Share your love, your talents and your resources. Learn each day and then let go. Get a good night’s sleep. Start the new day with the Jewish practice of giving thanks for the gift of a new day. Set your intentions. Do your best to live by them. Let go of perfectionism. Make an effort. Learn from your mistakes. Exhale. Let go. Get a good night’s sleep. Chant a nighttime prayer: “spread over us the shelter of your peace.”

Our High Holiday liturgy offered the following familiar refrain, Besefer Chayim: “In the book of life, blessing, peace and abundant prosperity, may we be remembered and inscribed before You; we and all Your people, the House of Yisrael for a good life and peace.”

My prayer for us as we move more deeply into 5785 and into November 2024: 

May we live in such a way as to create a good and meaningful and honorable chapter in the proverbial book of life, regardless of external circumstances. May we use each day to choose blessing, savor blessing and to be a blessing, in large or even very small ways.