Goldstein's funeral home had 11 funerals yesterday.
We heard yesterday of the closure of URJ summer camps, along with several Ramah camps, for this summer. We do not know yet about our local Ramah camps, but we are worried.
In clergy groups, clergy have seen a dramatic uptick in anxiety and depression among congregants.
In parenting groups, parents working two jobs with young children at home are looking with dread at months of children being home all the time, creating stress for children with fear and nothing to do, and stress with parents who are juggling in an unprecedented way.
But I still have hope.
This week, we read Parshat Acharei Mot - Kedoshim. It's a joint Torah reading, combining "Acharei Mot" - After Death - and "Kedoshim" - Holiness. The title itself is the source of many Jewish teachings: After death, holiness.
As I encounter losses here at TBI, and prepare for other ones, I remind myself of this. As I see sadness in our society, I remind myself of this.
There is holiness possible beyond our situation. There is even holiness possible within our situation.
Holiness is not going to be found in the events we cannot control. Holiness can only be found right now in our reactions to those events. Holiness can be found in our ability to say, "this will have to be good enough," holiness can be found in our ability to say, "I will eat ice cream for dinner," holiness can be found in our ability to say, "I will be loving and kind and forgiving no matter what."
Throughout our history, we have not been in control. There are the persecutions, of course, but also, until modern science, the world never seemed under our control.
Judaism tells us: we might not control the world, but we can control our reactions. We can force ourselves to breathe. We can force ourselves to sit quietly without a screen. We can tell ourselves that this too will pass, even though it be hard.
Sometimes we have to shut down the world for some time. We can go for a walk. We can close our eyes. We can turn off a phone.
Take some time today to sit quietly. Away from a screen. Away from thinking. Breathe, and go inside yourself. Even if only for 5 minutes. You need this. We all need this. Despite death, holiness. And then do it again the next day.
Shabbat Shalom,
