This year was surely no different. In fact, thanks to life in the Covid era, there were so many more decisions and details to be tended to: consulting with medical professionals, outdoor services, tent rentals, mechitzah logistics, proper lighting, social distancing measurements... just to name a few. Covid added logistical challenges, but as my friend Robert Rosenthal said: "Praying outdoors and lacking some of the creature comforts meant that we were more focused on our spiritual connection and on the true meaning of the holidays."
I always say that the High Holidays at JFX are a labor of love for me. Lots of hard work, but worth every bit if people walk away elevated and inspired. Hearing that comment from Robert definitely made it all worth it for me this year!
The Jewish calendar is so rich, and each month was originally endowed with its own unique holiday and flavor. When the Jewish people committed the sin of the Golden Calf, the summer months were deprived of their intended holidays. Therefore, when G-d forgave us for this great blunder in the Jewish month of Tishrei, He made things right by making up for the three missing summer holidays. Hence, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simchat Torah, all in one month.
Now, as we turn the chapter from summer to fall, the weather is turning cold and we are being forced to take our services indoors. New challenges and opportunities arise.
This past Monday was Rosh Chodesh, the first day of the new Jewish month of Cheshvan. It's actually referred to in Jewish sources as "MarCheshvan," usually translated as "bitter Cheshvan" — bitter because it is the only Jewish month that has no holidays, and never did. However, the Chassidic masters put a much more positive spin on this nickname for the month that follows Tishrei. They explain that "Mar" also means to quiver, and they explain that Tishrei is so Jewishly rich and full of holidays, that our Jewish lips are still quivering from the prayers, songs, rituals and meaningful moments of the previous month!
Therefore, it's so important to find a few quiet minutes and take stock of what we gained during the High Holiday season, and bottle some of that warmth for the cold winter ahead. For me, one important holiday takeaway, especially in the Covid era, is the importance of letting go of our illusion of control, and handing over the reigns of control to G-d.
On Rosh Hashanah, we proclaim God as our king. He's in charge of everything. We end the Yom Kippur service by standing and shouting out loud together the six words of the Shema. But how do I take that lesson into my every day life?
Personally, there is someone in my life who often acts in a way that makes it difficult to remain calm and patient. Normally, I'm a calm and patient person, but this human being pushes all my buttons. Instead of constantly losing my patience, I'm trying to remember that having this person in my life is not a random cosmic mistake, but rather that Hashem has put this person there to help me develop my character. So, I'm trying to turn the year-round recital of the Shema into a daily "High Holiday togo" meditation. Each day, as I cover my eyes and chant the ancient words of the Shema, I try to let go and let G-d, and try and capture a bit of the High Holiday experience as an opportunity to use this particular relationship as a springboard to become a more patient person.
What might be your "High Holiday to go" moment, and how can you keep some of that momentum going into the cool Cleveland winter?
Shabbot Shalom,
Rabbi Koval