Dear Friends,

This week I was shocked to read the White House Coronavirus advisors project 100,000 to 200,000 deaths in our nation as a best case scenario.

When we think we have a grip on the situation, we read a new piece of information or see a new report and we no longer know what to expect.

The situation nationally and globally appears to be worsening. There are promising signs that the lockdowns are having an effect around the world but the cases and deaths continue to skyrocket. We are hoping for a return to normal at the end of April or May, but it may be longer.

The truth is that we simply do not know how long this will last.
'
I find not knowing what the future will bring worry inducing and taking it day-by-day grows more difficult as time passes.

We each are juggling professional lives, family lives, and taking care of our own selves.
Judaism is rich with wisdom to harness our resilience and navigate such times.

We begin our services every morning with our birchot ha’shachar, our blessings of gratitude that were once said as Jews woke up and got out of bed. The first blessing before even the ten blessings was the modeh ani expressing our gratitude for God returning our soul to our bodies. Then as they heard the sound of the rooster, they thanked God for giving the rooster the ability to distinguish day from night. As much as our world appears upside down, there are is still much that runs as clockwork providing us with anchors for our lives.

We then thank God for making us free (even if it does not feel that way right now), for giving us purpose by connecting us to our Jewish faith, for opening our eyes (In olden days, people opened their eyes as they said this prayer). We express our gratitude for giving us clothes on our backs, for setting the world in its right place, for providing for all of our needs (most of us are blessed to have our basic needs met even in such uncertain times), for preparing our steps in the world – helping us find moments of connection and blessing each day, for giving us a courage that is much needed in our day, for crowning us with glory (we know we will emerge from this crisis), and for giving energy to the weary. Finally – a favorite – for wiping sleep from our eyelids. Judaism has always has wisdom and understanding of the concrete and real-life needs of human beings.

Along with harnessing gratitude, we have to remain hopeful.

The midrash states that King Solomon instructed his jeweler to inscribe on his signet ring – gam zeh yaavor – this too shall pass. The wise king told him, “When I look at the ring in good times, I will be reminded not to take the goodness for granted and when times are troubled, the saying will give me hope.” This is a ring that we need to mentally place on our fingers.

Finally, what this situation reminds us of is a truth expressed by Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, Kol Ha’Olam Kulo Gesher Tzar Me’od. The Whole World Is A Narrow Bridge. Ve’Ha’Ikar Lo Lefached Klal, And The Most important Thing Is Not To Be Afraid. The world has always been a narrow bridge and yet we have what we need to walk our way through it. The most important thing is not to be afraid.

And Passover is around the corner! It will be easier this year to imagine the urge for freedom.

Join us (meeting id# 559-904-722) for our participatory communal 2nd night Seder, ‘Come Be Liberated From Your Isolation Through The Power of Celebrating Together!’ at Thursday April 9th at 6:30 pm.

I will also be leading a session tomorrow, Wednesday at 4 pm – ‘Preparing For the Seder in The Time Of Coronavirus, Understanding the Structure of the Seder and Other Tips For Leading’. Click here for the zoom link (meeting id# 452-855-424).

Sending You Warm Wishes,
Rabbi Adir Glick