On Sukkot eve, some selections from Ecclesiastes to help you celebrate this time of our rejoicing…
a generation goes a generation comes
but the earth remains forever
the sun rises the sun sets and
glides back to where it rises again
southward blowing turning northward ever
turning blows the wind
on its rounds the wind returns
all streams flow into the sea but
the sea is never full
to the place from which they flow
there they will flow back again
(Ecclesiastes 1:4-7)
“Death of Moses” by Alexandre Cabanel
on that day the lord said to
moses take your final
journey ascend to the top
of mt nebo and i will show you
the land from above
do you see how it
fulfills my promise do you
see how its light flows
and dances like
milk and honey do not
grieve moses do not be
frightened for now you will
finally greet me face to face
the moment for which you’ve
yearned now turn and gaze
into the eyes of
your beloved
(Deuteronomy 32:48-52)
From my Erev Yom Kippur sermon last Tuesday:
I’ve often thought that there’s (a different Torah portion) that is just as appropriate – perhaps even more appropriate – for Yom Kippur. I’m referring to the famous episode in the 32nd and 33rdchapters of Genesis, when Jacob wrestles on a riverbank with a mysterious stranger the night before he meets up with his estranged twin brother Esau.
Anyone who’s read or studied this text will attest that it’s a phenomenal story with deliciously rich spiritual symbolism. Indeed, I often find myself returning to this portion for its insights on forgiveness, reconciliation and personal transformation. All of which, of course, are central themes to the Yom Kippur holiday.
So on this Yom Kippur eve, please allow me to submit this story as an alternative Torah portion for your spiritual consideration. I hope its lessons will help us all engage more deeply in the spiritual work that lays ahead this coming new year.
Click below to read the entire sermon:
the lord said to moses soon you
must die and my children will
cross over the river
a generation that did not know
slavery and liberation
who has known only wandering and
wilderness
who do not know this land
cannot fulfill its promise
that their struggle
will never be complete
therefore write down this song and
teach it to them put it
in their mouths so that when
the season turns and
they harvest bitter fruit
the taste of milk and
honey will not be
far from their
lips
(Deuteronomy 31:14-21)
“Crowd at Coney Island” Weegee, 1940
you stand here this day all of
you before me your tribal heads
your elders your officials your wives your
husbands your children your friends
enemies jewish christian muslim hindu
buddhist taoist jain believers
doubters deniers blessed cursed
wounded wandering howling breaking
into song crying out in pain seeking
finding losing winning falling all
who know the struggle all who limp
their way into the water all of
you stand together on this day to
enter into a covenant
with the lord
your god
(Deuteronomy 29:9-14)
beware lest you hold onto the land
so tightly that it hardens and
you find you are worshiping an idol
of stone
then you must go forth and
wander among the peoples
of the earth
make your way from one end
of the universe to the other
maybe then will understand
no matter where your footsteps may lead
wherever your eyes may seek me
wherever your spirit pines for me
there you will find
your promised
land
(Deuteronomy 28:58-68)
if you have a wayward and defiant son who
does not heed or obey
take hold of him and bring him out to the
town elders and say to them
our son is disloyal and disobedient
thereupon they will tear down your darkest
desires your illusions of power your
desperate fantasy of control
thus will you sweep out the fears you’ve
wielded like weapons against
your child before he
was ever even
born
(Deuteronomy 21:18-21)
when you see your enemies in
the dark of night when you
close your eyes and see their
horses and chariots at every
turn you must do battle
with your fears let not your
courage falter
face down your panic and
dread
for it is the lord
your god that struggles with
you be strong and never forget
this is only the way
you can do the work
of peace
(Deuteronomy 20:1-4)
when you enter the land of promise
you will not survive unless you
cut down the walls between
yourselves and others you must
learn from their ways gain
knowledge from their experience
grow compassion from their travail
and when you worship
your god look deep
into their eyes and know
that you are worshiping
theirs as
well.
(Deuteronomy 12:29-31)
French & British soldiers wounded in the same WW I battle treated at a British Casualty Clearing Station. Photo: David McLellan
you are not chosen rather
your fate has chosen you now
will your soul be ruled by
your oppression or will
you stand by the souls of the
oppressed will you wield your past
like a weapon of mass destruction
or will you let it fly free
release your pain like
bandages unfurled to bind
up the wounded no you
are not chosen
that choice is
yours to
make
(Deuteronomy 9:5-7)
Yedid Nefesh 