From the Rabbi's Study

Many people see July, virtually the height of summer, as a time for vacations, time off from school, kicking back, maybe getting some projects done that we put off to “some day,” etc. And with the pressure under which so many of us find ourselves these days, having some time to unwind, to do what we want to do as opposed to what we have to do, is really a blessing. Summertime seems like an exceptionally good time, while we are sitting back and relaxing, to acknowledge our blessings. 

On the other hand, even when the pressure is the greatest, or maybe especially when the pressure is the greatest, we need to “stop to smell the roses,” take stock of what we have, and recognize the places and ways in which we may be fortunate. In other words, there doesn’t seem to be a time when we should take any of our good fortune for granted. 

I spoke recently with a rabbinical colleague who serves a very large Reform congregation, and who also just celebrated his 44th birthday. Much to everyone’s shock and amazement, at the tender age of 44 he has just survived a heart attack. His doctor has told him that there was no medical predisposition for the attack, no high cholesterol, no diabetes, no clogged arteries, no usual suspect symptoms. Apparently it was a result of stress. While my colleague seems to be on the road to a full and complete recovery (thanks be to God!), the incident has changed everything for him and his family. 

Most significantly, it has reminded him not to take anything for granted, including his health. But it also reminded him how much of a gift each day is or can be. And as he says, it is no longer about how much he gets accomplished, but about how valuable each accomplishment is. And it has reminded me that our lives are filled with our breathing in and out, in and out. But the real value in our lives comes in the moments that take our breath away. 

We Jews are urged to live with the image in our minds of God and books. We are taught that each and all of our deeds are written into the book of our life, and on a very regular basis God, Who has written these deeds into “our” book, reviews those deeds each year so that it can be determined whether we will be granted another year of life. In other words, again, we ought not take for granted that we will have good health or a long life. Our deeds speak for themselves; it is on their merit that we merit our life’s continuance. We can’t blame our fate on God alone. 

And so it is as we roll into mid-Summer that I urge you to take as much time as you can to relax, kick back, and enjoy yourselves. And if you are lucky enough to be able to do that, try to take some of that precious “down time” to acknowledge out loud what good there is in your life, to say thanks for what you have, to say “I love you” to those about whom you care and who care for you, and perhaps most difficult and challenging of all, to do a little self-evaluation just to make sure that the deeds that will inevitably comprise your personal life story continue to be deeds that will not only shine up your reputation, but will also have the added benefit of improving the world. 

Summer is really a time of wonderful opportunities. I hope you take full advantage of them.

rabbi@templeisraelalameda.org