Life-Changing Idea #11
We Are Not Prisoners of Events
But Their ACTIVE SHAPERS
As the year 2020 ended we concluded Genesis, the first book of the Torah. What does this have to do with probably one of the worst years most of us have ever experienced?
As we approached the secular New Year, everyone became a prognosticator. Pundits, editorials, TV announcers, magazine writers and more speculated about 2021 and what lies ahead:
· Will we be back to normal? Back to a “new” normal? Not back to anything normal?
· Will the economy return?
· Will the vaccine work?
· Are our kids going back to school?
· When will we be able to travel again without fear?
I have been studying a great new Torah commentary by the late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks called Judaism’s Life-Changing Ideas. In it, he points out that there is no crystal ball with the answers. It is only the way we react that can be life changing.
We can continue doing our best during this time of uncertainty. We can help others, giving generously to organizations providing food and shelter to those desperately in need. We can pray for the vaccine to end this pandemic and a chance to rebuild our businesses, our economy and our lives. We can pray for our government to work together for the benefit of all.
And we can study Torah to find the courage and strength we need to adapt and persevere.
Genesis concludes with the story of Joseph, one of the 12 sons of Jacob. Joseph suffered. He was thrown into a pit by his brothers and then sold into slavery. Joseph endured 13 years of misery, some of them spent in jail for a crime he did not commit.
Finally, after interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams and becoming a vizier, Joseph had the opportunity to reconcile with the brothers who “did him wrong."
There is so much in the world that we have no control over. Joseph could not control his brothers' jealousy. We could not control the virus. The lockdowns were imposed. Mask-wearing, social distancing and using hand sanitizers are the way to protect ourselves and care about each other.
Our response to the horrific realities of COVID 19 is the only thing we have control over!
This is the teaching that Rabbi Sacks offers as he analyzes the Joseph story. The brothers arrived in Egypt to buy wheat and they did not recognize Joseph. He torments them until he is certain they regret and are ashamed over what they did to him. Now we think it is time to punish them. Instead, when he finally reveals himself to his brothers he reacts in a remarkable way and says:
“I am your brother Joseph whom you sold into slavery. Now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves, because it was to “SAVE LIVES” that God sent me here to preserve you and the world from famine.”
Joseph “reframes” his experience and relieves his brothers of their burden of guilt. In spite of all he has suffered, Joseph is able to:
· See his misfortune as part of his journey to accomplish his life mission
· Reinterpret challenges into possibilities
· See the positive elements in his situation
Rabbi Sacks says that like Joseph, we too can defeat tragedy by our ability to view our lives with perspective. What we thought was ‘unfair’ or unrelenting, can be reframed. By changing the way we react to our challenges, we change the way we feel, and we are transformed.
The Talmud asks, “Who is Wise?” The response is: “Ha’Roeh et Ha’Nolad,” literally the one who can see the new moon in the dark night. This is a person who perceives promises and finds hope and a spark of light in challenging times.
Joseph found a purpose in his life in spite of years of suffering.
May we too, as we enter the new secular year of 2021, find meaning and purpose. May our stumbling blocks become our stepping-stones.
May we find life lessons in the time we have spent shut down and isolated.
May we find gratitude for what we have and for all those people who have risked their lives to save others.
May our country find healing and reconciliation between the fractious parties and may our new administration be able to govern effectively with justice, forgiveness, integrity and kindness to all.
With blessings for a healthy, meaningful, and light-filled new secular year to my beloved Lev Eisha Community,
Rabbi August
