14 | SEPTEMBER 17 • 2020
Bridging the
Distance
T
he last six months brought with
them many challenges. We’
ve
instituted extreme measures
for the safety of ourselves and others.
We’
ve made the difficult decision to
close our synagogues, barring ourselves
from communal prayer for the sake of
communal health.
For some, that reality
persists even today, and the
High Holidays will therefore
take unprecedented form.
For others, despite being in
person, the service includes
masks, social distancing and
limited attendance. During the season in
which we come together we feel unusually
disconnected.
In another sense, though, we remind
ourselves that such distance is relegated
to the physical realm alone. Specifically, at
this time, we’
re reminded of the intimacy
with which we can connect spiritually —
to ourselves, and to God Himself. The
Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 18) tells us that
Hashem is to be found more imminently
during the Days of Awe (based on Isaiah
55:6). Despite the spiritual power of
a physical quorum, an individual can
produce that same energy during this
time.
But that proximity is hard to fathom.
For so many of us, our most spiritually
uplifting moments occur in the places
that we regard as the most spiritual —
the synagogues or the study halls. As
the Chassidic saying goes, however,
at this time, Hashem is not only
reachable by appointment in the palace.
Instead, “HaMelech basadeh,” the King
is even in the field. He’
s accessible and
approachable, yearning for that intimacy.
An interesting symbol of this lesson
is actually embedded within a tradition
many shuls follow during davening. At
the start of the Shacharit service, the
first “HaMelech” is chanted aloud by
the chazzan. But to begin, the chazzan
doesn’
t do so from the bimah, but rather
from his own seat, no matter where that
might be. To understand this custom,
some point to a phrase that many of us
are familiar with: “Baruch Kevod Hashem
Mimkomo,” “Blessed is Hashem from
His place” (Ezekiel 3:12). On his way out
of Jerusalem, Yechezkel is told through
prophecy that God can be blessed no
matter where He is, even in exile. Some
even say that the relocation does not
refer to God, but to each individual. No
matter where we find ourselves, even at a
distance from our ideal sanctuary, we can
still produce that blessing.
In terms of our usual, religious rituals,
we find ourselves at an unfortunate loss.
But especially during the Days of Awe, we
remind ourselves that despite the distance
— whether physical or spiritual — we
now have the opportunity to grow closer
than ever before.
Ketivah vachatimah tovah (A good
inscription and sealing).
Rabbi Shaya Katz is the spiritual leader of Young Israel
of Oak Park.
Caring Is
Connection
T
o say these High Holidays are once
in a lifetime is almost trite. Just con-
sider the fact that everything we have
been experiencing these past six months
has been a first. I find it mindboggling to
recount what we have altered
and how we have adapted.
What we thought was briefly
lived practically today has
become the expected.
Yet, now is the season tra-
ditionally when we return —
we return to our congrega-
tions and communities and
excitedly greet one another. We embrace.
We leave uplifted and ready to tackle anoth-
er year.
The words of Elie Wiesel are echoing in
my ears. In asking what it means to be a
synagogue, a congregation, he answered,
“It means to care about each other. Pray?
We can pray at home. We come together
as a congregation in order to share in each
other’
s lives and in order to share in the life
of the Jewish people — past, present and
future.
”
Yet, that seems far from possible today.
Our realities on the surface restrict our
opportunities to be together, and yes, to
even pray together. But does it? I find it
remarkable the ways we have innovated in
these past months and created something
unique and special. How much the more so
will our New Year reflect this certainty.
No doubt there is a lot we will miss in
being in person together. But I believe
the connections we honor and continue
to create demonstrate exactly what Elie
Wiesel profoundly taught. We are a part of
this community because we do care deeply
about one another — and we will continue
to do so. That is and must be our mission.
For me, in looking at our faith, there are
very few “have-to’
s” right now. Similar to
L’Shanah Tovah
The JN invited local rabbis to share
holiday messages with the community.
Rabbi Shaya
Katz
Rabbi
Michael L.
Moskowitz
Rosh Hashanah 5781