To everything there is a season
When Israel celebrates their independence, they have a two part ritual. First comes Yom HaZikaron, Israeli memorial day. People mourn their loved ones; there are beautiful ceremonies at cemeteries around the country. There is a moment of silence when everything stops as people remember those who gave their lives in defense of the country. After that day of solemnity and mourning, as the sun sets, grief gives way to joy. People dance and party and sing as they celebrate Israel, its founding, and the hope it embodies.
Kohelet or Ecclesiastes is the origin of this wisdom. Kohelet says “to everything there is a season; a time to mourn and a time to dance.” Giving time first for mourning creates space and room for the dancing and joy. We live in a world that has the honey and the sting, the bitter and the sweet. A life lived with wisdom needs room for both.
This year Israelis have no choice but to find a way to weave both loss and joy into their celebration of Simchat Torah. They will dance and sing and celebrate, but they will also remember. For us, we have a chance to create space for both emotions because we have two days to celebrate the festival when Israel has only one.
Shimini Atzeret follows immediately after Sukkot. According to a midrash Rabbi Graff loves to quote, God as it were so enjoyed the time with the Jewish people on Sukkot that they all wanted one more day, one more moment, of love and closeness, causing God to decree one more festive day. Shmini Atzeret is about yearning and love. We say Yizkor that day because we want to linger one more time, one more moment, with those we remember.
This year our memory will extend to all those who lost their lives on that horrible day. We will linger with all the loss and pain and horror of that day and what has followed. We will endeavor to hold all that loss in love, strengthened by an entire community of mourners. And then we will give ourselves room to dance and celebrate.
For all the horrors of this past year, there is still light and hope and joy. To only dwell in the sorrow would be its own sin. Rabbi Nachman teaches that joy is its own obligation. Kohelet reminds us that there is a time for joy even when there is also sorrow. So we need to dance and sing and circle each other. We need to remind ourselves how grateful we are for each other, how much love there is in each circle and dance.
And then the holidays will end. We will have one extra day, a Shabbat of rest and breath. After this month of reflection, change, and celebration, we will return again to the hard work of healing, repairing, and finding a new and redemptive way forward.
May these days bring you healing, comfort, joy and dance.
Hag Samech!
Rabbi David Booth
