It is said that hind-sight is 2020. And so, as we embark on these Yamim Noraim, these Days of Awe, as we begin the holiday of Rosh Hashanah, in the year 2020, let hindsight be our guide.
Much of this past year can be summed up by the experiences, actions and inactions of the past six months as we’ve lived and are a living our own modern-day plaque of COVID-19.
As we’ve slowly had to peel away the layers and individual obligations of our own independent lives, we’re reminded of the key principle of Pikuach nefesh - the concept that saving a human life is more important than any other mitzvot we can perform. For Jews this means that they have a duty to save a person's life if we can.
Hindsight has been a reminder that when all is set aside, when our lives and living our lives are on P.A.U.S.E., we are reminded that our most basic need aside from having faith, is our need and desire for one another, our most basic need and desire to be together with one another.
Hindsight has been a reminder that when performing the most basic and simple act of wearing a mask enables us to fulfill the mitzvah as we are commanded to love thy neighbor as thyself, exhibiting care and concern, protecting one another and the care and well-being of others, beyond our own selves.
Hindsight of this past year has reminded us that our collective action and inaction have an equal effect on us all; not just among own communities of friends, loved ones, and neighbors but that our actions and inactions have an affect far and wide, well beyond the reach of the brick-and-mortar walls of our houses of worship, transcending our communities of like-minded faiths, indifferent to the color of our skin, our sexual orientations, gender identities and politics.
Hindsight has reminded us of the awesome responsibilities and power that each one of us possesses in effecting change and making a mark on the world in which we live, as we strive to leave the world a better place than we have found it in the spirit of Tikkun Olam.
Let hindsight be our guide as we embark on a New Year ahead. Let hindsight be our guide as we look ahead to the year that awaits. As we pray for a workable and effective vaccine to minimize the risk and exposure to illness and enables us to return a life we once knew.
Let hindsight be a reminder and honor for those lives that were sacrificed and the loved ones we lost.
Let hindsight be a reminder that not all heroes that walk among us wear capes, that each and everyone of us has the ability to be a hero in this world by being a part of a world that is caring and loving of something larger beyond ourselves.
Let hindsight be a reminder that to live in a democracy means being able to debate and make the constructive arguments peacefully, allowing our voices, all of our voices to be heard in defense of ones views or perspective independent of the color of our skin, our sexual orientation, gender identities and individual religious beliefs.
Let hindsight be a reminder that to live in a peaceful world, requires each and everyone one of us to take action, devoting our time, our energy and contributing the special gift of ourselves in the pursuit of change that we seek in a world that includes us one and all.
Let hindsight be a reminder that to live in a world where EVERYONE has the same and equal opportunities as we are given the charge of ‘tzedek, tzedek, tirdof' - justice, justice shall you pursue, that we do so welcoming all into our communities as we pursue Justice, as we pursue Peace.
Let hindsight be our guide to re-affirm our commitment that no matter the road that lays ahead, that we are in this together, and together we will love and care for our families, our friends, our neighbors, and our communities near and far.
And let hindsight be our guide as we sound the Shofar this Rosh Hashanah in the year 2020, that the sounds of the Shofar be a call awakening our better selves, a reminder all that possible and all that we can accomplish, when we do so together.
Yevarechecha Ado-nai, veYishmerecha, May the Lord Bless You and Keep You
Ya'eir Ado-nai panav eilehcha, vichunehka, May the LORD make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious onto you
Yissa Ado-nai panav eilehcha, veyaseim lecha shalom, May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and forever grant you peace.
L’Shana Tova U’metukah – May the Year Ahead be Filled with good health, bountiful happiness, and togetherness once again.
Much of this past year can be summed up by the experiences, actions and inactions of the past six months as we’ve lived and are a living our own modern-day plaque of COVID-19.
As we’ve slowly had to peel away the layers and individual obligations of our own independent lives, we’re reminded of the key principle of Pikuach nefesh - the concept that saving a human life is more important than any other mitzvot we can perform. For Jews this means that they have a duty to save a person's life if we can.
Hindsight has been a reminder that when all is set aside, when our lives and living our lives are on P.A.U.S.E., we are reminded that our most basic need aside from having faith, is our need and desire for one another, our most basic need and desire to be together with one another.
Hindsight has been a reminder that when performing the most basic and simple act of wearing a mask enables us to fulfill the mitzvah as we are commanded to love thy neighbor as thyself, exhibiting care and concern, protecting one another and the care and well-being of others, beyond our own selves.
Hindsight of this past year has reminded us that our collective action and inaction have an equal effect on us all; not just among own communities of friends, loved ones, and neighbors but that our actions and inactions have an affect far and wide, well beyond the reach of the brick-and-mortar walls of our houses of worship, transcending our communities of like-minded faiths, indifferent to the color of our skin, our sexual orientations, gender identities and politics.
Hindsight has reminded us of the awesome responsibilities and power that each one of us possesses in effecting change and making a mark on the world in which we live, as we strive to leave the world a better place than we have found it in the spirit of Tikkun Olam.
Let hindsight be our guide as we embark on a New Year ahead. Let hindsight be our guide as we look ahead to the year that awaits. As we pray for a workable and effective vaccine to minimize the risk and exposure to illness and enables us to return a life we once knew.
Let hindsight be a reminder and honor for those lives that were sacrificed and the loved ones we lost.
Let hindsight be a reminder that not all heroes that walk among us wear capes, that each and everyone of us has the ability to be a hero in this world by being a part of a world that is caring and loving of something larger beyond ourselves.
Let hindsight be a reminder that to live in a democracy means being able to debate and make the constructive arguments peacefully, allowing our voices, all of our voices to be heard in defense of ones views or perspective independent of the color of our skin, our sexual orientation, gender identities and individual religious beliefs.
Let hindsight be a reminder that to live in a peaceful world, requires each and everyone one of us to take action, devoting our time, our energy and contributing the special gift of ourselves in the pursuit of change that we seek in a world that includes us one and all.
Let hindsight be a reminder that to live in a world where EVERYONE has the same and equal opportunities as we are given the charge of ‘tzedek, tzedek, tirdof' - justice, justice shall you pursue, that we do so welcoming all into our communities as we pursue Justice, as we pursue Peace.
Let hindsight be our guide to re-affirm our commitment that no matter the road that lays ahead, that we are in this together, and together we will love and care for our families, our friends, our neighbors, and our communities near and far.
And let hindsight be our guide as we sound the Shofar this Rosh Hashanah in the year 2020, that the sounds of the Shofar be a call awakening our better selves, a reminder all that possible and all that we can accomplish, when we do so together.
Yevarechecha Ado-nai, veYishmerecha, May the Lord Bless You and Keep You
Ya'eir Ado-nai panav eilehcha, vichunehka, May the LORD make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious onto you
Yissa Ado-nai panav eilehcha, veyaseim lecha shalom, May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and forever grant you peace.
L’Shana Tova U’metukah – May the Year Ahead be Filled with good health, bountiful happiness, and togetherness once again.