By Rabbi Beth Janus
Rosh Hashanah is days away. Jewish tradition gifts us one month leading up to the holiday to reflect on our lives, make amends and contemplate how we can be more fully alive. Our Torah portion tells us that God sets before us the blessing and the curse (Deut. 30:1) and while we have free will, God wants us to choose blessing. Choosing blessing is the core of Judaism. It takes discernment though, to figure out what choosing blessing looks like. Fortunately, this portion shows us a path.
Nitzavim-Vayelech begins with a vision of community. “You stand this day, all of you, before your God — your tribal heads, your elders, your officials, every householder in Israel, your children, your wives, even the stranger within your camp, from woodchopper to waterdrawer.” (Deut. 29:9,10) We all belong in this community of Jews who journeyed to the edge of the Promised Land. We traveled together for 40 years with struggles and challenges figuring out how to build our new free society. Those people who were literally there at that historical juncture and those of us who live today are all part of Jewish community.
“I make this covenant, with its sanctions, not with you alone, but both with those who are standing here with us this day before our God and with those who are not with us here this day.” (Deut. 29:14) In other words, this passage teaches that every one of us comprises the community — whether or not we embrace the community, are synagogue members, are activists, or donors.
A vital part of living in society is communal. Community reduces isolation. It sustains and nourishes us. It celebrates and grieves with us. Community reminds us that we are part of something greater. We see the damage done when community declines. In May, Dr. Vivek Murthy, the surgeon general, declared a loneliness epidemic in the U.S. Dr. Murthy says that this epidemic accounts for increased mental illness, heart disease, dementia and premature deaths.
On the other hand, it is sometimes difficult to be in community. This year, we experienced deep fractures in our community as we wrestled with the political choices of our presidential election and the moral issues in Israel and Gaza. We mourn for the victims of Oct. 7, yet our responses to the tragedy have split us. But in spite of the trials that community brings, the good outweighs them all for many reasons. Community allows us to be challenged and sharpens our views and resolve to fight for justice. We hold each other accountable by being in dialogue. Jewish community keeps us connected. It allows us to grow, stretch and mature as we argue and debate. Choosing community is choosing blessing.
In many families, synagogues and other communities, people are choosing not to talk about these critical issues to avoid conflict. Or people are boycotting family holidays to escape seeing others with antithetical views. But right now is exactly when we need to stay in dialogue. In fraught times, relationships are especially urgent. These confusing and troubling times are when we need people to interrogate us and support us. We need it all – the full messy enriching experience of coming together.
After the opening description of Jewish community and after God sets before us blessing and curse, then God “will open up your heart … in order that you may live.” (Deut. 30: 6) It is hard to be open-hearted with people with oppositional views. Opening our hearts makes us vulnerable and ensures that we will sometimes be hurt. It is also the only way to be fully alive. When we Jews do the work of being in community, then God will step in and help us the rest of the way. And that will be how we live. Choose blessing!
Rabbi Beth Janus is the co-president of the Board of Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia. She works at Lafayette Redeemer and educates and conducts life cycle ceremonies in the Philadelphia community. rabbibethjanus.com