October 2024 - Let There Be Light

We just began the Book of Genesis again and read how the first thing God created, on the first day, was light. The prophetic portion connected to the beginning of Genesis proclaims that, just as the world was created for a particular purpose, the people Israel was also created with a purpose, namely to be a light unto the nations.
 
What does it mean to be a “light to (or for) the nations?” There are many opinions, and the simplest seems to be that the people Israel is meant to bring light, meaning hope, or goodness, or justice, to those who are suffering, either in ancient times or today. 
 
You may remember that my theme for this year’s High Holidays was “light.” I spoke about the light of our neshama (our soul) which we bring to the synagogue when we all gather there; and the light of our dear departed whom we remember at Yizkor; and the light of the Ner Tamid (the Eternal Lamp); and the beacon of light which was shining through the efforts of our brothers and sisters in Israel this year, as they valiantly came together to support each other; and of course, the light of Torah.
 
Legend has it that the day Adam was created, he watched the sunshine disappear as night came on and he wept, thinking that he would never see the sun again. When the first light of dawn came on the eastern horizon, his fear disappeared and he was happy and relieved. Even Adam realized, at that moment, what we all need to remember: that the sun that sets will also rise.
 
We begin again, as always, though we look through a new lens each year. Still, we endeavor to bring hope, light, goodness and justice to our world. 
 
The notion of being chosen goes hand in hand with this discussion of being a “light,” and that’s a topic for another day. I am delighted to tell you that my talented musician friend, Beth Hamon, who enlightened us so beautifully last year on a Third Friday Zoom Kabbalat Shabbat service, will be visiting us virtually again on November 15, where she will speak and sing about what it means to be chosen and to chose Judaism. You will be surprised and amazed at her presentation. 
 
As the days grow shorter, may we try even harder to spread our light and to be a beacon of hope for those we know and don’t know, both near and far.

B’shalom,
Cantor Rena