200925
25th
September 2020
Shabbat
Shalom! Shana Tov (A Good Year) and Hatima Tova (May you be inscribed in the
good book)
I have
an admission to make. This morning I apparently had a touch of Coronamnesia. I
thought it was still Thursday! It was only when Rachel made her "good morning"
call that she told me that she had already finished preparing the challah dough
and it was time for me to get writing!! We live in strange times, which makes
the following of our traditions even more important – to keep us on the
straight and narrow.
http://www.theviewfrommyveranda.info/shuva-kippur-and-corona/
I don't
want to talk about politics this week, although most of our leaders have a
great deal of atoning for their egoistic mismanagement of our daily lives, in
fact of our ability to live our lives, pay our bills, see our family………….What
we all need, wherever we may be in this troubled world, is wise and thoughtful
leadership which takes the advice of its medical and economic advisors and use
their power for the good of the people they swore to serve not for their own
selfish power struggles. I wonder if they will admit, let alone atone for their
sins.
Wait a
minute, I said I don't want to talk politics and then I did, but it brings me
neatly to a situation most relevant to this period of contemplation. How will
we spend Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement; the day in which, under normal
circumstances, even the least religious Jews go to the synagogue, and we pray
as a community. As we stand and recite a long litany of sins, set before us in
the prayer book, many say "I never did that" or "Why should I
pray to be forgiven for things I never did" but we recite the list because
we pray as a people not as an individual. We pray for forgiveness and atonement
for our community, our country, our people and our world. The most relevant
part is when we repeat "For the sins committed unintentionally and
unconsciously".
Fasting
for 25 hours for those who are not used to doing so on all the other fast days
(the fast of Gedaliah was on the day after Rosh Hashana) becomes obsessive. They
don't concentrate on prayer, indeed many don't even go to the synagogue or pray
at home, they simply don't eat, very aware of their rumbling tummies and the
need to sleep through this day. It defeats the object of the fast, the purpose
of fasting is that one is so deeply involved in prayer that the time passes without
thinking of food………… Let me hand the explanation over to Rabbi Jeremy Rosen
who, as my mentor, can explain the purpose of fasting in his usual erudite
manner http://jeremyrosen.com/2020/09/whats-the-point-of-fasting.html
Personally
I have no problem praying alone. Even when in a synagogue, equally for church,
chapel, cathedral or mosque, I am alone with my thoughts and invocations. When
I recite the sins for which I must atone, I gently chest-beat, as my parents
taught me, and try to begin the metamorphosis into a better, kinder, less judgmental
person.
This
year the imposition of lone prayer after the failure of our government (and the
many selfish people who think it is clever to go against the simplest of
directives) to control COVID-19 there will be no synagogue services, all hues
of Judaism, from Haredi through traditional and secular services, unless held
in the street, with masks and honouring distance. Perhaps, just perhaps that is
the best thing that could happen. When one is in the synagogue one's attention
goes in all directions, silence is not a prerequisite to attending service
because in Judaism the synagogue is a meeting place, a community centre first
and foremost; prayer, rabbis and leading the order of service are a way to be
together but do not negate the ability to pray alone.
We used
to go to the wonderful little synagogue (shule) in Gilo, but since Zvi's
parents passed away that tradition has slowly receded, the 6 kilometre walk to
Gilo, through Beit Tsafafa and up the long, long hill way above the panorama of
Jerusalem became harder and harder so we had to find alternatives. For a few years we have attended services in
the next neighbourhood of Ramat Sharrett, in an even tinier synagogue underneath
a supermarket (!!). I especially loved that service because it was
"Achid" which meant it contained elements of both Ashkenaz and
Sefarad traditions, but this year, none of the above.
Zvi and
I will stand on our verandah, our parents prayer books open before us and pray
before the view, occasionally lifting our eyes to take in the wonder of modern
Jerusalem. Not a mouse moves, the silence is overwhelming as each home, in its
own way, offers its prayer for peace……….. if we are kinder to each other, if I
am truly sorry for all the wrongs we have wronged, can I bring about a difference?
Can my prayers make a difference? If we all, everyone, not only read what is
written in the prayer book but really try to change can the metamorphosis be
worldwide rather than just ourselves? Can
we bring about a change in how children are educated to accept those who are
different? Can we fight to bring kindness toward those who don't think as we
do? I know I am a dreamer but what can you expect from someone who holds Rev.
Dr. Martin Luther King and HaRav Kook as her heroes?
Tonight
we light the candles for an important and particularly solemn Shabbat, Shabbat
Shuva – Sabbath of Return" שבת שובה
refers to the Shabbat during the Ten Days of Repentance between Rosh Hashanah
and Yom Kippur. It is named after the first word of the Torah reading (Hosea
14:2-10) and literally means "Return!" Traditionally the Rabbi, or community
leader, speaks of the importance of atonement, of choosing the path of
righteousness.
Returning
to lockdown is not easy. Of course we understand that it is essential to
control the spread of this ghastly disease but if only people would abide by
the directives in the first place we could be in a different place. The
doctors, nurses and ancillary staff have done a superhuman job, the scientists
battling for an effective inoculation or cure, the ambulance professionals and
volunteers, the laboratory workers checking the covid-19 tests, and the police
who now have to man the control points to prevent people leaving
"red" areas – Thank you! Our
prayers are for you too because all of you will miss being with your families
as you serve us.
Something beautiful happened this morning. A
young patient of Daniel's in New York, his name is Joseph, was meant to hold
his bar mitzvah on Succot – Tabernacles, here in Israel. Joseph had already
decided that he didn't want gifts he wanted to raise money for Shalva, In his words "As part of my campaign I
was going to do some sort of physical challenge over the summer. Unfortunately,
I injured my knee and could not complete the challenges I had in mind. Since I
couldn’t play many of the sports I love, I spent a lot of time in the pool. I
realized how enjoyable and important pool time was for me this summer and
therefore my goal is to raise enough money in order to purchase 2 water
trampolines and a mobile hoist for the swimming pool at Shalva. I want the
children at Shalva to be able to safely enjoy the pool as much as I do." This wonderful young man, this bar mitzva
boy, not only thought of his own campaign but even added a wish for people to
donate to "Remembering Daniel" at Shalva to show his and his friends
love for my son, their paediatrician. My heart swells every time I think of
Joseph and his parents Abby and Josh.
So what
music can possibly fit this solemn time?
The
first song is for Joseph Kafthaul…… never forget to dream. This is the Shalva
Band with A million Dreams. Mazal Tov Joseph
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HWaldJt5Bc
Kol
Nidre is the opening prayer of Yom Kippur, although many do not understand the
weight of the words. Here Neil Diamond sings and the translation explains the
deep meaning https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKRRMi1Clk8
Finally
the song that I believe should be the representative song of this beautiful
nation – of Israel, indeed for all of us. Of the Honey and the Sting. Above all
this………………… Al Kol Eleh
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxzR9Z-kG6Q
If I have
in any way shape or form hurt or offended you during the past year please
accept my abject apology. I would never
every do so knowingly but even the best of intentions can sometimes offend. I
truly care for each and every one of you.
The
past year taught me, above all, that we must never hold back, not on love, not
on friendship and never on being with those we love most. Life can take away
the chance to hug and to hold in a flash. To honour my amazing, brave,
brilliant, loving and exceptional son, Dr. Daniel Cammerman and his beautiful
family, I am determined to be a better person.
A
special wish for the health of Kim Taylor, Mike Manasse, Talia Barashi, Frida
Albaranes, and everyone who is determined to be well again!
With
all our love from Jerusalem, the most beautiful, precious and spiritual city in
the world. I wish you a year filled with hope and fruition a year that is infinitely
better than the last. May you be written in the book of kindness, the book of
good deeds, the book of good health.
Sheila
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