Forgiveness

On Rosh Hashana

5785

Don’t let the Hebrew year 5785 begin without thinking what that number means.

It means that for 5,785 years, the Jewish people have lived. We have inhabited this earth. OK, we’ve done a little bit more than just that.

Our earliest days will be recounted in the Torah portions we read in synagogue these coming days. We will read how the children of Israel began with a giggle, when the 90 year old Sarah was told that she would soon give birth to her first son. Yitzchak (meaning he laughed) was born nine months later. Eight days later, his father Abraham brought him into the covenant with God.

We will also read about how Abraham’s faith was tested one last time, 37 years later, when God ordered him to sacrifice his son. At the last moment, Abraham’s hand was stayed. He had proven his faith. His descendants would number like the stars in the sky.

From Abraham we grew as a nation, were enslaved in Egypt, were redeemed in our promised land, and gave the world a moral code - the 10 Commandments and eventually the Torah. Kings and prophets of legends lived and died, and gave us stories we still tell our children today. Our Temples were built and destroyed, we rebelled, we were killed, we survived, were dispersed, and spent two thousands cold winters in exile.

5,708 years into creation we regained our sovereignty on May 14. We have spent the last 76 years working on it. Perfecting it. Dying for it. Living for it.

During our 5,785th year - this past year - we were challenged tremendously, beginning just 23 days into it. We were attacked in ways that belied comprehension, but our old habits immediately kicked in, forcing us into survival mode once more. It is our second nature. Through tears, we persisted. Under fire, we sheltered. When the smoke cleared, we arose anew.

There will be countless challenges in the coming year for both Israel and the Jewish people. But by recalling our past, we embolden our future.

Seeking forgiveness

For the 10 days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), we are given one last opportunity to seek forgiveness from God for our sins from the last year. We are also encouraged to seek forgiveness from our friends and loved ones, for things we may have done to wrong them, intentionally or not. By the end of Yom Kippur, our fates are sealed. We have been judged. We hope His judgment is favourable.

But must we seek forgiveness from others? Those who are not our friends, but our foes. Those who don’t love us, but hate us. Those nations who are not our allies, but our enemies. Must we seek forgiveness from them?

Must we seek forgiveness for living? Nothing matters more to our people, and we have thrived for 5,785 years for valuing life over everything else.

Must we seek forgiveness for surviving? There are those who look back in history, and lament the miracle of survival that is the Jewish story. There is nothing more important today than ensuring their disappointment.

Must we seek forgiveness for building up rather than down? Our enemies go low, building tunnels to hurt us and their own people. We however go high, building towers to grow into, and to show the world what we have to offer.

Must we seek forgiveness for our technology? Our people’s developments may include the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and exploding beepers, all intended to help save Israel and the Jewish people. But that same technology, and that ability, has improved the world. We have never, for one second, sought to keep it to ourselves. We have always used it to help others. To make things better. But we can never apologize for developing new ways to remain safe.

Must we seek forgiveness for preparing to fight? We have 5,785 years of experience being persecuted. We know what antisemitism is, where it festers. We know it is emboldened, and we know we must prepare for what is to come. It is always just under the surface. We know the importance of preparation, and that the next round is always just around the corner. Our vigilance is critical.

Must we seek forgiveness for protecting our people? The world is against us, on every front in the Middle East, in international fora, in the media, and in the streets. It is incumbent on us, therefore, to take every possible precaution to protect ourselves, our people, our elderly, and our children, from threats both unseen and overt.

Must we seek forgiveness for celebrating? In the world’s darkness, we must find the light. Noa Argamani, freed from captivity, danced and sang, celebrating her freedom, apologizing to no one. Celebrating life is always a paramount virtue. If we can laugh, we must laugh. If we must dance, we dance. If we can celebrate, we will do that too.

Must we seek forgiveness for our greatness? For our community’s strengthened ties to each other, for the crowds at our rallies, for our financial support of each other, and for our ability to do difficult things well? We have a lengthy history of keeping our heads down, doing hard work, and seeking to excel at each turn. It is a marvel to see a yiddishe kop at work.

And must we seek forgiveness for carrying forward our ancient traditions? In the coming days, we will blow the shofar, just as the children of Israel did when surrounding Jericho, bringing their walls crumbling down. We will recite ancient prayers, recall the prayer service in our Holy Temples, and turn to face the direction of Jerusalem - our eternal, and modern, capital. Our Jewish rituals and our Zionism is all rooted in our history, a story worth repeating. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

The answer is no: for these things, we must not seek forgiveness. We cannot, and must not, apologize for outliving and outlasting, for thriving, and for deserving the same as everyone else.

Rosh Hashana

Tonight, and in the days to come, Jews worldwide will strike our hearts with our fists and proclaim “slach lanu” - forgive us - “Forgive us our Father, for we have sinned, pardon us our King for we have willfully transgressed, for You pardon and forgive. Blessed are you, O Lord, who is gracious and ever willing to forgive.”

We seek forgiveness from God for our transgressions against Him and our friends, our fellow Jews, and our loved ones.

But from everyone else, we seek not forgiveness. In our 5,786th year, we seek to be treated equally.

To be left alone.

To be allowed to thrive.

To not be hunted.

To not be bad-mouthed.

To be held to the same standards as everyone else.

To be respected.

To be heard.

To be understood.

To bring our hostages home.

To be allowed to win.

Whether or not that happens this year, am Yisrael chai - the people of Israel live. Our people will continue to thrive, our country will continue to shine, and our future deeds will one day constitute a continuation of our history.

בְּראֹשׁ הַשָּׁנָה יִכָּתֵבוּן, וּבְיוֹם צוֹם כִּפּוּר יֵחָתֵמוּן

On Rosh Hashana it is written, and on Yom Kippur it is sealed.

Shana tova - a sweet and happy new year to all.

Losses in Lebanon

Together with all of Israel, we mourn the loss of eight soldiers killed fighting Hezbollah in Lebanon on Oct 2. They are:

• Cpt. Eitan Itzhak Oster, 22, a team commander in the Egoz Commando Unit, from Modi’in.

• Cpt. Harel Etinger, 23, a team commander in the Egoz Commando Unit, from Eli.

• Cpt. Itai Ariel Giat, 23, of the Yahalom Combat Engineering Unit, from Shoham.

• Sgt. First Class Noam Barzilay, 22, of the Egoz Commando Unit, from Kohav Yair.

• Sgt. First Class Or Mantzur, 21, of the Egoz Commando Unit, from Beit Aryeh.

• Sgt. First Class Nazar Itkin, 21, of the Egoz Commando Unit, from Kiryat Ata.

• Staff Sgt. Almken Terefe, 21, of the Golani Brigade’s reconnaissance unit, from Jerusalem.

• Staff Sgt. Ido Broyer, 21, of the Golani Brigade’s reconnaissance unit, from Nes Tziona.

May their memories forever be a blessing.