How I’m choosing to rejoice this Rosh Hashana

Rabbi Fishel Zaklos

At the end of each year, we often feel like giving a big groan, or as they say in Yiddish, a “krechtz," about the year that passed. Each year has blessings and challenges, and it’s often the challenges that seem to stand out more in our minds.

This past year is definitely one of those years that the krechtz, and even a tear, feels justified. You don’t need me to tell you how hard this year has been for all of us. Three weeks after Rosh Hashanah, on the happiest Yomtov (Jewish holiday) of the year, Simchat Torah, our lives were changed forever as we heard the news of the devastating destruction, known to the world as the events of Oct. 7.

And now we approach Rosh Hashanah again, and the whole month of festivities that follow. To be honest, it will be a struggle. Every day seems to bring a new piece of troubling news that we add to the burden on our shoulders. Feeling the joy that is the big commandment of the holidays of Sukkot and Simchat Torah will be an uphill battle.

Let me share with you a few ideas that I will hold onto as I commit myself to find joy in these difficult times.

1. If I give into the pain and despair then I have handed a small win to the terrorists. They want nothing more than to break the spirit of our people, not only in Israel but worldwide. I won’t give them that satisfaction.

2. I believe that I honor the lost lives by choosing to live as an open, proud and joyous Jew. By choosing to celebrate, I am not dishonoring their memory, but rather I am continuing their legacy. They died for being Jewish, so I will keep their spirit alive by being Jewish as proudly and happily as I can be — for them. Even those who have passed can still receive loving care packages — which are the Mitzvot and acts of goodness and kindness that we do. When we choose to go forward, it is a gift to the souls we’ve lost.

3. Unfortunately, this isn’t our first rodeo, as our nation has been through so much pain over thousands of years. Oct. 7 and the many months of war and loss that followed — while horrific, painful and unimaginable — are sadly part of a difficult history of loss and pain that we have endured.

Amongst the lessons we’ve learned is that we outlive our tormentors every single time. We are an eternal people, and we never go away, because our faith, our values and our bond with G-d are unbreakable. So, we celebrate the fact that we know we will overcome. We know how the story ends. We will arrive to a world of peace, love and kindness, yet. We never stop believing in a better future. And we know that it will come. Am Yisrael Chai (the Jewish people live on)!

4. And finally, in our own private darkness that so many of us are battling –– fraught with our personal pain, hurt and loss –– we would be wise to remember the truth that the darkness in our heart is dispelled by kindling the light in the heart of the other. Our inner healing opens outwards, and the more we give to others, the more we heal our own pain. Now is the time to touch the hearts of others by making a positive impact on their lives. At Chabad of Naples, we consider this idea our guiding light and ethos — to add light and love to the hearts of those around us. So, join us this High Holidays! We look forward to gathering together in a spirit of joy.

May we see better days in our community, our Holy Land, our people and for good people the world over very soon. We continue to pray for the remaining hostages to be released and to return home safely to the comfort of their families. And for a swift end to the suffering felt by people everywhere.

היתוכרבו הנש לחת, היתוללקו הנש הלכת May this year and its curses end. May the new year with its blessings begin.

Rabbi Zaklos Fishel serves at Chabad Jewish Center of Naples.