Rabbi's Chayva's Chat

As if Judaism’s four new years weren’t enough, we get the secular new year too! The turning of the secular calendar feels quite different from Rosh Hashanah, and not just because of the fireworks. On Rosh Hashanah, I reflect on how I have lived my life this year; on the secular New Year, I reflect on the world I have lived in, and what that world might look like in the year to come.

This world has been tumultuous, and that will likely increase in 2024. I wish I could offer assurances of calm, but as Israeli officials warn that the war might continue for months and we enter a presidential election year, I would rather we enter the year with eyes open and hearts prepared. 

But how do we prepare our hearts for 2024?

Parshat Vayechi, the Torah portion this week, also looks at a moment of change. In the last Torah portion of Exodus, Jacob blesses each of his sons before he dies. Their blessings harken back to past deeds and forecast their future, trying to offer each son clarity on his path.

We can also look to the past to find clarity for the future. Amanda Ripley, a writer and conflict mediator, gave an interview in which she passed on the three pieces of advice that have helped her navigate the news cycle:

1. Don’t get hijacked by the polarization, because it will make you sick and crazy.

2. Limit the amount of anguish that you take on, which is how you get rule number one right.

3. See opportunities and seize them, and don’t expect a big result.

In order to follow Ripley’s advice, we must curate our news consumption to help us be informed on the things that matter (which are not always the top headlines) without allowing our emotional selves to be run by a system that aims to agitate us. We must fight our inclinations towards black-and-white thinking, catastrophization, discounting the positive, and overgeneralization. These make for good news stories, but in human limbic systems they make for anxiety and depression.

Let us also remind ourselves of the goodness in our lives as often as we need to. Let us come together to learn, to pray, to do good work in the world, and to enjoy each other’s company. We have much to look forward to. I particularly want to mention that Rabbi Danny and Ricki will be back leading Friday night services this week, and in one month we will welcome Rabbi Aura Ahuvia back for our Shabbat Shira celebration in honor of Cantor Henry Greenberg and Cantorial Soloist David Morgenstern. 

Please mark these upcoming happy occasions, and may the new year be full of many others. With our hearts and minds prepared, may it be a Happy New Year!