As we approach two years since the pandemic hit our lives, since we had to hunker down in our homes and change the ways of our life, many of us continue to feel their weight. In my conversations with people this past week, I have heard a common refrain: We are “running out of gas.” Or we feel “we haven’t any more to give.” Many of us are feeling pandemic fatigue despite knowing that a hopeful future is on the horizon. Although we know that spring will come, our exhaustion is real -- it is heavy and it can obscure the promising emotion of hope.
כָבֵ֤ד מִמְּךָ֙ הַדָּבָ֔ר לֹא־תוּכַ֥ל עֲשֹׂ֖הוּ לְבַדֶּֽךָ For the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. These words, from last week's parsha, are part of the advice that Yitro, Moses' Father-in-law, gives to him when he sees Moses working from morning until night to support the people of Israel. “You cannot do it alone” - says the Priest of Midian to Moses, the greatest prophet of our tradition! The creation story tells us this from its beginning when the first human being is created. God says: לֹא־ט֛וֹב הֱי֥וֹת הָֽאָדָ֖ם לְבַדּ֑וֹ It is not good for Adam to be alone. Although usually, we read this verse in the context of the creation of a wife for Adam, the concept of partnership between human beings is what speaks clearly and deeply: We need one another. So, my message is simple this Shabbat: We cannot do it alone. We do it together. We do it in community. When we are feeling the exhaustion of this pandemic, when we are feeling the cold of the winter and the fears we hold for ourselves and others, when we feel we are withering and shriveling, we have each other. We are connected. We are a community. If you are alone, if you need support, if you need community, or if you know of someone in our community that needs that support, please let me know. Reach out to me directly. May this Shabbat bring renewal and blessings to all of you and your loved ones. May we find strength, courage and patience and open our hearts with generosity. May all those who are ill find healing. May we have a joyful and restful Shabbat!
