These first words of Torah tell our story of the world’s conception. This Torah portion is
about beginnings and possibilities emerging from nothing but God’s manifestation of it. A few weeks ago, on Rosh Hashanah, you may recall hearing this story chanted. We reread from Parshat Bereshit on the morning of Simchat Torah as well as on this Shabbat- the first after the High Holy Days. Why do we read our creation story three times at the beginning of the Jewish new year? Because beginnings are hard. I believe our sages wanted to remind us that before the creation of the world, God spoke light into being out of darkness.
On Rosh Hashanah we rejoice in the arrival of the new year by saying, “Hayom Harat Olam!” This phrase is frequently translated to mean- Today is the birthday of the world! This joyful, yet simplistic interpretation of these words doesn’t quite speak to the true meaning of them. The word harah literally means pregnancy. A more precise reading declares: Today the world is pregnant. While this a far less comfortable translation, the discomfort of inevitable change and newness deems it far more fitting.
Much like pregnancy, beginnings can be uncomfortable to say the least. Ready or not, our bodies and minds are required to stretch and grow to accommodate new possibilities. This process is simultaneously painful and beautiful- exhausting and uplifting. It’s natural to meet change with cynicism and to grieve routine and familiarity. It’s understandable for a pregnant person to forget the miracle of possessing two heart beats when experiencing morning sickness and preemptively saying goodbye to sleeping-in.
Beginnings can bring about anxiety, cautious optimism, and hope in the same breath as fear. Jewish tradition dictates that when we learn that someone is pregnant, we don’t offer congratulations, or exclaim, mazel tov! We recognize the uncertainty of pregnancy, and the anxiety of potential loss. Instead, we say: b’sha’ah tovah - in good time. This expression is traditionally understood to express the hope that the baby may arrive safely in good time – but we all know that newborns don’t consider convenience or making a timely appearance. Change meets us unprepared. Perhaps this phrase can be extended beyond expectant parents to anyone on the precipice of major change as a sort of blessing: may you be granted the strength to lean into change with grace at the time it arrives.
Our congregation’s 60th anniversary beckons a new era. “Hayom Harat Olam!” On Rosh Hashanah we say the world is pregnant with possibility in the year ahead. The same can be said for our congregational future, Temple Emanu-El. Great opportunity and change walk hand in hand. We acknowledge the continued difficulties of congregational pandemic life and the bittersweet nature of transitioning into our new home. The miraculous resilience of the human body through pregnancy and labor parallels the indominable nature of our spirits. Through this time of stretching beyond our comfort zones, let us consider the understanding that the Hebrew words rechem (meaning womb), and rachamem, (meaning compassion) share a common root. Holy connection is born from a place of kindness and empathy for ourselves and one another in the face of change.
I stand before you, my spiritual family and congregational home reflecting on the beauty of our Temple’s new chapter mirroring one in my personal life. Adam and I are expecting our first child in April. I’m feeling anxious and cautiously optimistic with a healthy dose of fear. I especially feel profound hope- for this child and our community.
On the first day of creation, God spoke light into being before creating the world. Perhaps beginnings require the smallest spark of hope from us in order to speak the hopes of our future into being. May we in this new year channel our anxieties into action towards positive change and growth. May we be granted strength to lean into change at the time it arrives- b’shaah tovah and Shabbat Shalom.
This sermon was presented at Temple Emanu-El of Edison, New Jersey.
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