麻豆社

Good morning.

鈥楻别蝉颈濒颈别苍肠别鈥�.

That鈥檚 the word I hear most often to describe a stoic response to the Coronavirus.

But, there鈥檚 a problem with resilience. The original Latin means 鈥榯o recoil or rebound鈥�. Resilience suggests that we can spring back to where we were before - something which, usually, is simply not possible. Whatever ordeal we鈥檝e endured, the future presents a fresh reality. In Coronavirus terms, it鈥檚 our 鈥榥ew normal鈥�.

In Hebrew, we use the term 鈥榥echama鈥�, which means 鈥榗omfort or solace鈥�. Its Biblical usage implies change, recognising that as one emerges from a traumatic experience, a paradigm shift is called for. Nechama is about becoming, not overcoming. It is not a process of closure, but disclosure 鈥� of a previously dormant perspective which now comes to the fore.

The Jewish understanding of such profound change in ourselves is shaped by Rosh Hashanah, our New Year, which commences this evening. Looking back on the previous year, we strive to take control of the way it has changed us, to empower us to embark on a new year with renewed purpose. To do this effectively, gratitude for what we have is everything. As the Talmud teaches: Who is wealthy? It鈥檚 one who is happy with what they鈥檝e got.

According to our tradition, our New Year is the anniversary of the creation of the very first person and, over the festival, we contemplate on the lives led by Adam and Eve, their achievements and their failings. They lost their paradise because, while blessed with the unparalleled bounties of Eden, their only desire was the one thing they couldn鈥檛 have 鈥� the forbidden fruit - and it was this which led to their downfall.

Covid-19 is prompting us to re-evaluate our lives. Instead of pining after that which is out of our reach, we can now appreciate life more than ever before, to use every moment constructively. Many people I鈥檝e spoken to have found a renewed appreciation of family and friends, of spirituality and community, and just the simple pleasure of socialising.

鈥淚s your glass half empty or half full?鈥�
The answer given by the boy in Charlie Mackesy鈥檚, 鈥淭he boy, the mole, the fox and the horse鈥� is, 鈥淚 think I鈥檓 grateful to have a glass鈥�.

Jewish tradition differentiates between fate and destiny. My fate is the hand of cards I鈥檓 dealt. My destiny is how I play that hand. In the midst of this tragic Pandemic, a good start to carving out a destiny of hope and promise is being grateful for the glass we have.

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