In the Jewish tradition, we count the 49 days from Passover to Shavuot. This year, the Center for Jewish Learning asked me along with other writers, poets, and Jewish learners to offer reflections based on Psalm 67.
Here’s what I wrote:
Tue Apr 28/Wed Apr 29
yismechu - יִֽשְׂמְח֥וּ
REJOICE
Rejoice. The word feels distant. Like an old friend I caught a glimpse of from across a crowded room. When I try to think of what to rejoice, one of two moods takes over.
In my darker moods, I only come up with “At least it’s spring.” The very real and difficult fact is that people are dying, and they are dying because our leaders failed to do everything they could to keep us safe.
In my brighter moods, I’ve settled on the fact that we still have plenty to celebrate. Our connections, our care, our memories. Our resilience, our strength, our will. Our adaptability, our zest, our humanness. I can rejoice in the kindness on display today.
Our rejoicing doesn’t stop us from being critical. As we always have, we must work towards building a better world. One that is just, and kind, and holy to all of its inhabitants. But, our insistence that things be better doesn’t stop our ability to celebrate what is good. Rejoice in the holiness of care and rejoice in the sanctity of healing
Bolstered by our joy, we must use that energy to support each other. It is our duty to repair the world.