Gam zeh yavor - This, too, shall pass.
- common to many communities and traditions, also found in Shevet Musar
Let’s start off this column the way that we usually end at this time of year - l’shanah tovah tikateivu - may you (all) be written for a good year.
I am pretty sure that none of us, last Rosh haShanah, contemplated that what would be written in the Book of Life for 5780 was what has enfolded over the last six months. I have seen innumerable memes about the 2020 bingo card, all of which note the arrival of some unanticipated catastrophe that has come to pass - from the murder hornets to the near pass of a meteorite the day before the election in November. Sitting together in our seats in the sanctuary in September, none of us predicted that we would be small boxes on a screen as the next Jewish year rolled around.
The meme finds dark humor in the idea that we cannot imagine what calamity will strike next, but the idea of a “2020” bingo card also provides the hope of an end date. As bad as 2019 was, 2020 was so much worse, that we will all heave a huge sigh of relief once it has ended. Who could imagine 2021 being able to break the record(s) of 2020? At least the law of averages should be on our side.
One legend states that King Solomon was asked to provide a statement that could be written on a ring to wear as a constant reminder, that would both provide comfort in difficult times and caution in times of plenty. Solomon stated, as above, gam zeh yavor - this, too shall pass, whether this is a famine or a plague, or a time of unparalleled bounty or success. The one thing that we know about time (to date) is that it marches on. Whatever happens today will only last so long - and while this can be a source of despair when we are happy, when times are difficult, it is a source of hope.
Many of us found ways of joy and comfort in 5780. In our family, our eldest, who because of camp and the rest of a busy schedule, probably would never have been living together with us again for any period longer than a few weeks (God willing), spent five months in our home. While my spouse already was quite accomplished at baking sourdough bread, we pioneered a number of new recipes that are becoming staples in our menu. When a relative of hers died in California, not only was I able to officiate at a Zoom memorial service that we could not otherwise have attended, but relatives from across the country were able to gather and see each other. This, too, shall pass.
Many of us felt increased stress, uncertainty and anxiety - whether from the daily worry about how to find food and toilet paper for our family, to the longer term fear of loss of employment, income, and whether or not the communities that we live in would be able to survive. We tried to find ways to support local businesses, support each other (and thank you to everyone who helped others out with deliveries, donated gift cards, or helped in innumerable ways), and support family members who we may not have been able to spend as much time as we wanted, or far too much time than what we were ready for. This, too, shall pass.
This past year, the normal things of life have taken on new meaning: Parents who limited screen time are trying to find how to make their children spend enough time in front of a computer. Planning dinner became much more strategic, and leftovers took on more value. While we found more time to walk and bike and play in our yards, and therefore more time to wave to our neighbors, we also wanted to make sure that we kept at a safe distance. This, too, shall pass.
One of my child’s college professors, adjusting to the new format of Zoom teaching, said at the end of each week of classes, “Be happy. We are now one week closer to the end of this difficult time.” This month, we will wrap up 5780 and look forward to 5781. It may be different, it may, for a while, be more of the same. The one thing that we have control over is how choose to celebrate the New Year. Will we feel overcome by worry, or will be welcome the milestone of closing up this year, and moving on to the next?
Anyone have world peace on their 5781 bingo card?
L’shanah tovah tikateivu - may we be written for for a good year.
