The Rain to Wash Away Our Tears

On Simchat Torah,  I was not alone in searching for silence under the chilly wind of a sunlit sky.

Why the search for silence? Because on this morning  one year ago, our world was filled not with calm,  but with the deafening booms of exploding missiles. The echoing booms covered up, but could not hide the screams of “God is Great” and those who suffered terribly as a result of this perversion of God’s name.

Since that terrible day, again were heard screams of anguish. Our brave soldiers — our children and even our parents — went into Gaza, many not to return. Now new anguish — from those who have lost their loved ones in Lebanon.

Yet, listening more closely that Simchat Torah day, something else began to surface. Gone were the cries of the unholy soldiers of Islam. Instead, the wind blew sweetly, brushing through the Sukkot walls, and over fields of grapes preparing for winter rest. In our synagogues, there was laughter mixed with words of Torah and scents of spicy Kiddush tables ladened with food and wine.

Soon, voices lifted in song and feet tapped rhythmically in dance, all celebrating  with the Torah in hand– a reminder that on this Simchat Torah day though there is much to mourn, comfort and joy are still to be found.

One can never address the sorrow that was, and yet with each new beginning, there are opportunities for new lives to be born, and new lives to be lived, and to take comfort and joy from all.

As we wait next month and our seasons first rains, we hold close the hope that they will wash away our tears and nourish the land we cherish—inviting life to begin anew.

A true peace should soon be upon us.