It Takes More Than Six Words ...

Sharing some thoughts on the last day/last Shabbat of the year.

Dear Friends,

It takes more than six words to thank each of you for being part of this Between The Lines “community,” if you will. 

Your responses, comments and suggestions have been inspiring to me, letting me know that you are out there. I truly appreciate it, and encourage more interaction between us in the coming year. And I will continue to try to reply to each of you who responds.

Since this column was launched in March, I’ve posted about 50 times. It has been a liberating experience for me — after almost five decades of editing and writing on deadline for the Baltimore Jewish Times and The Jewish Week — to write what and when I choose. But I’ll aim to post at least once a week, and I hope to continue to post Guest Essays as well in the coming year. So let me know if you would like to contribute.

I was delighted to see so many of you respond to my invitation the other day to describe 2021 in six words – no more, no less. In all, the post has had more than 4,100 “reads” so far, and there were well over a 100 comments on the thread that was published – and in emails sent directly to me. They ranged from deep frustration to sharp wit, and from sadness to optimism, as befitting this past year.  

Here’s a sampling:

Anti-vaxxers: No soup for you!

“Hope springs eternal” is getting OLD.

Some count deprivations. I count blessings.

Still  treading water…how much longer?

Enjoy each day as you can.

Rotten year, but hey, we’re alive!

Looking ahead to 2022, some have noted that they hope it won’t turn into “2020, too…” Clever, but we should enter the new year with a dose of optimism added to our realism.

My outlook on life is based in part on the writings of the well-known philosopher Mel Brooks, who wrote a song – it could be the Jewish International Anthem – called “Hope For The Best, Expect The Worst.” 

It includes the memorable verse:

“Even with a good beginning

It’s not certain that you’re winning

Even with the best of chances

Fate can kick you in the pantses.”

You get the idea.

Seriously, the story of the Jewish people can be seen as one of immeasurable suffering, but it is also one of survival over thousands of years, and a message of hope.

One need only look to this week’s Torah portion, Va’era, for a message that resonates with us in this moment. It’s the story of Moses and Aaron calling on Pharaoh to free the Israelite slaves and let them leave Egypt. It’s a story of plagues and miracles – two images we can relate to during this Covid epidemic and the miraculous vaccines scientists created to strengthen our resistance.

We can focus on our fears … or on our faith in the future. 

The Torah’s instruction is clear:

God says (Deut. 30:19) “I call heaven and earth to witness you today. I have put before you life and death, blessing and curse – therefore choose life!”

It’s a decision and way of living that is with us every day.

My hope is that the new year brings each of us and our families continued resilience and renewed life. May we celebrate together.

Shabbat shalom, and L’chaim.