GatherDC’s Community Rabbi Amalia Mark writes about the questions this past year has asked of us, the Torah teaching she’s leaning on, and the first anniversary of October 7th.
My heart has broken over and over again this past year. Since October 7th, I have wept, cried out, and raged. I have asked myself how many times I can pick up the pieces of my shattered heart. Often, I am without words.
Today, we mark the anniversary of October 7th and a year filled with countless tragedies and loss.
Over the past year I have called out to God: Ayeka, where are you?
Today, I call out to each of you, inviting you to be alongside me and one another as we surface the continued questions of the past year:
How can we engage with one another if our values and opinions sit in polar opposition?
How can we keep our hearts soft and open, when we might want to harden and close them off?
How can we hold our grief of the past year, alongside hope of what the world could be?
In times of deep instability, I turn to the Torah, and find comfort in being a part of a chain of conversation, disagreement, and creative interpretation.
The Talmud teaches in Bava Batra 14a-b that there were two sets of tablets held in the Ark of the Covenant: one set whole, one shattered. I’ve always found it significant that the Israelites carried both sets of tablets, holding what was broken alongside what was whole. For many of us, this has been our past year. We have held our brokenness and, simultaneously, carved out moments of wholeness.
I invite you to join me on this journey of holding both / and, seeking answers to the questions this year has asked. This is sacred work: recognizing our brokenness alongside where we are whole.
Everyone may choose to mark this day in the way that feels most right to themselves. If today feels like too much for you, with your heart too raw and scarred, take time to care for yourself. You may choose to stay off of social media and connect with loved ones individually or collectively. If you would like to observe the day with the wider Jewish community here in the DMV, we’ve compiled some upcoming opportunities to do so below. I am also available for one-on-one coffees in the weeks to come – please reach out here if you’d like to meet.
As the Jewish year begins anew, may we, and all those we hold dear, be written and sealed into the Book of Life. May our mourning and grief turn to joy, and may our hearts be whole once again.
B’Shalom — In Peace, Rabbi Amalia Mark
The views and opinions expressed in this blog and on this website are solely those of the original authors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of the organization GatherDC, the GatherDC staff, the GatherDC board, and/or any/all contributors to this site.
