Shalom Chaverim!
Here is a different suggestion for how we can understand the ‘blessings’ or the ‘curses’ which are presented as a choice for us to decide between in this week’s Torah portion. It’s either/or. We can choose blessing, or we can choose curse, says Parashat Ki Tavo.
This is from a poem by Aaron Zeitlin (b. 1898, Russia – d. 1973, New York). It is seems very fitting for this month of Elul, our time for self-reflection in preparation for the approaching new year and the upcoming High Holidays:
Praise me, says God, and I will know that you love me.
Curse me, says God, and I will know that you love me.
Praise me or curse me
And I will know that you love me.
Sing out my graces, says God,
Raise your fist against me and revile, says God.
Sing out graces or revile,
Reviling is also a kind of praise,
says God.
But if you sit fenced off in your apathy,
says God,
If you sit entrenched in: “I don’t give a hang,” says God,
If you look at the stars and yawn,
If you see suffering and don’t cry out,
If you don’t praise and you don’t revile,
Then I created you in vain, says God.
Aaron Zeitlin
What passionate caring did you develop over the past year? Will you deepen your commitment to it this year, or has it now subsided in importance?
What did you not care enough about last year that you think needs your commitment and energy this year?
Did you look at the stars enough last year? Did you pause to watch sunsets, greet dawns, and smell wet forest too many times to count last year?… Think of one way you will cultivate your sense of wonder this year?
SHABBAT SHALOM!
Rabbi Michael