Being Counted-On

“I had no choice,” a released hostage told us. A few of us were visiting with her this week in DC at a May 14 event celebrating Israel’s Independence. We’d asked “How did you manage to stay hopeful?” 

She quietly and politely smiled that she didn’t have any other choice. For more than 400 days, she hadn’t seen daylight in the airless tunnel in which she was captive. If she was waking up alive, what else could she do but stay hopeful.

After thinking about her response, I went back over to add something. “You did have a choice,” I said. She gave a curious tilt of her head as I went on. “Despair was also available. You just kept making the better one, day after day.” She thanked me. And I thanked her for such an inspiring life-lesson for how every one of us can approach every day.

Making a day count, by counting every day, is what we’re up-to this season. This week’s portion of Torah enjoins the Counting of the Omer and today is the Omer’s most-noted 33rd day (Lag BaOmer). Speaking of counting, it turns out that the 33rd word in the Torah is Tov goodness. Perhaps we’re counted-on, particularly on day 33, to generate a bit more goodness. 

We do have a choice. Alas these days, despair can often feel more available. But, as Jews, we’ve long been in the habit of reaching for less-available options. Our norm is to greet difficulties by forging new devices. Where do we get the strength? For starters, from God, Torah, and Israel. 

Lots of folks are counting on you. Your ancestors. Your descendants. And your contemporaries. You do have a choice. May you rise today, and then again tomorrow, to make a better one.