“The Power of How,” Rabbi Elaine Zecher’s Shabbat Sermon/Shabbat Awakenings
September 6, 2024 | 3 Elul 5784
Welcome to Shabbat Awakenings, a weekly reflection as we move toward Shabbat. You can listen to it as a podcast here.
The book of Lamentations begins with the Hebrew word, Eicha, אֵיכָ֣ה.
Though the English title speaks of lament, the Hebrew is an exasperated exclamation of interrogation. It means, “how?!”
How is it possible that Jerusalem sits in sorrow?!
How could we ever imagine such destruction?!
How much weeping will it take before there ever could be comfort?!
The Biblical Book of Lamentations/Eicha spoke of the desolation following the ruin of the first Temple in Jerusalem caused by the Babylonians. Its words still resonate.
This week felt full of this kind of exasperated exclamation of interrogation, “how?!” in the face of the murder of six hostages: Ori Danino, Carmel Gat, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Eden Yerushalmi. They have joined too many others who have lost their lives by Hamas terrorists in Israel and Gaza. How is it possible to capture, torture, maim and then intentionally murder innocent adults deep in the tunnels?!
How is it possible that Jerusalem sits in sorrow?!
How could we ever imagine such destruction?!
How much weeping will it take before there ever could be comfort?!
The use of Eicha, how?!, might make us feel powerless, but it cannot immobilize us.
As leaders of the Reform movement wrote in a statement this week:
We join with millions around the world, including the tens of thousands of Israelis currently pouring into the streets [of Jerusalem and throughout the country], who are expressing their grief and anger over the murders of six hostages at the hands of Hamas…
The murder of these six innocent people was an act of savage cowardice. The pure, unmitigated evil of Hamas, on display to the world in the killing of 1200 people, the abduction of 250 others, and the torture and sexual assault of hundreds more on October 7th, must be unequivocally condemned. This latest act of brutality and violence only serves to cause more suffering for both Israelis and the innocent Gazans living under Hamas’s violent control.
At this moment of terrible tragedy, we reiterate our strong call for Prime Minister Netanyahu to heed the voices of the hostages’ families and the millions of Israeli citizens calling on him to not leave the remaining hostages behind and, instead, negotiate for a new ceasefire and hostage deal. Every minute the hostages remain in captivity threatens their chances of survival…
No more families should suffer the pain felt today by the families of Hersh, Carmel, Eden, Ori, Almog, and Alexander.
As we join together tonight for Shabbat, we will offer prayers for healing and strength for everyone affected by the ongoing violence, for those still held in captivity, and say Kaddish for those murdered whose memory remain an eternal blessing.
How could we not do so?!
Shabbat Shalom! שבת שלום
We celebrate Shabbat this week with Qabbalat Shabbat at 6:00 p.m. OUTSIDE. Register here to join on Zoom.
On Shabbat morning, we gather at 9:00 a.m. in the library for a short Shabbat service and Torah reading followed by a lively discussion of this week’s Torah portion. All levels and abilities are welcomed. Register here to join on Zoom.
Thank Goodness it’s Shabbat gathers at 10:00 a.m. No registration necessary.
Gather online to say goodbye to Shabbat with a lay-led Havdalah on Zoom at 8:00 p.m.
See Temple Israel’s webpage for livestream options.
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Rabbi Elaine Zecher