It’s time to remember

Rabbi Adam F. Miller

A traveler once heard the tale of Libush, a remarkable town where Shabbat was the most amazing experience that one could have. Wanting to see what all the fuss was about, he set off to discover the secret of Libush.

Upon arriving, he learned, to his dismay, that the rabbi credited with the wonderful Shabbat experience left many years before. Very few even remembered the rabbi or if they did, they had trouble recalling the details of the time clearly.

After searching the town, the traveler finally found a woman who could remember Shabbat with the rabbi. “Please tell me,” he said, “what was it like to have Shabbat in Libush when the rabbi was here?”

“I was just a girl,” she began. “I remember that everything was so chaotic. There were always guests coming to stay and everyone was bumping into everyone else. We all had our tasks and we were focused on going from one responsibility to the next. We would be running around, stepping on each other’s toes and causing quite a commotion. It was a very tense time getting ready for Shabbat and everyone was on edge.”

“I don’t understand,” said the man. “What made it so special, so amazing, with the rabbi? Surely there is something that stands out in your mind.”

The woman thought about it for a few moments and then answered, “I only remember that we were always angry at each other. Oh, and every week, we always forgot.”

“Forgot what?”

“Every week the rabbi would walk in and ask if we remembered. But from one week to the next, we always forgot.”

Now desperate to get her answer, the man repeated, “Forgot what?”

“We always forgot to let go of the busy work that we were doing. We were so focused on what we each needed to do, that we forgot to pay attention to the other people around us. We forgot about the holy time of Shabbat. As soon as we remembered, we would forgive one another, take a nice deep breath, and then it was Shabbat. Just like that.”

The last year and a half, we have been running full speed. At the height of the pandemic, we went from Zoom to Zoom, seeking out as much engagement as we could in a socially distant way. When it came time to go out, we would wear our masks, stand six feet apart, and minimize our interactions as much as possible. Think back to the early COVID-19 trips to the store, when one would stay as far away from others as possible, then wipe down and disinfect every item before it entered our homes.

As vaccines became prevalent, and restrictions loosened, we never slowed down. Many transitioned quickly to running from event to event. Having been forced to stay apart, we eagerly wanted to make up for lost time, rekindling connections and relationships in person. Summertime brought increased travel and family visits, all squished into a short timeframe.

All throughout, we have been going — like the people of Libush — without taking time to pause. Finally, the New Year arrives (fittingly on Labor Day, a secular day to rest!).

It is time that we remembered. We need to remember to stop; to make time for the rituals of worship and shofar (in-person or online); to take a deep breath and give thanks for the blessing of another year of life; to ask for forgiveness from those we might have hurt, and to forgive those who transgressed against us; and to embrace the peacefulness, hope and possibility offered by a new year.

When we do those things, 5782 will arrive, and it will be amazing.

Shanah Tova U’Mtukah.

Rabbi Adam F. Miller serves at Temple Shalom.