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A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg

Good Morning.

Tonight brings the Jewish New Year, when we celebrate ‘the birthday of the world’. It’s a time to honour all creation as, in the ancient words, ‘all life passes before God.’
It marks the beginning of ten days of repentance, when we rethink our values and conduct. It’s a solemn yet joyous time. But as I speak, anguish fills my heart.

Our Ukrainian family has been with us for over a year. They want to go home, but the men, still in Kharkov, rightly say it’s too dangerous.

In the Middle East any agreement between Israel and Palestine seems as remote as ever, yet I know so many on both sides who just want to live in mutual respect.

My heart aches for nature. When, in the biblical story, Noah first releases the dove over the devastated world, it can find no resting place for the sole of its foot. For so many animals their homes and habitats are gone and their species, dismayingly diminished, just about clings on.

These great crises, of climate, nature and humanity, bring feelings of helplessness and disempowerment.

But there isn’t nothing we can do. We can act against oppression, upholding fairness and justice. We can show kindness, whatever our sphere of endeavour. We can join local groups or national campaigns, caring for parks or rivers. When we do so, we strengthen each other’s spirits and restore our sense of purpose.

The thirteenth century Catalunian Jewish poet, Abraham Chazzan, wrote a new year’s prayer:
May the old year and its curses end, the new year and its blessings begin.
May we be the instruments of those blessings.

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