The Essential and Eternal Jew

Charlotte Jewish News September 2021

By Rabbi Chanoch Oppenheim, Charlotte Torah Center

Practically speaking, what is expected of us as Jews? There isn’t one answer to this question, but a crucial matter to consider is what is essential and what is nonessential. We became accustomed to that very distinction about 15 months ago at the onset of COVID. Essential workers and businesses were allowed to operate; nonessential ones were asked or ordered to lock down. We went out for essential items and activities and were asked to remain at home and forego that which was nonessential. People everywhere were struggling to determine what was essential and important to do or go to and what was nonessential and worth skipping in an effort to mitigate risk.

All of this helps us to prepare for the approaching days when we come before our Creator asking not only for chayim-life, but for chayim tovim — a good life, which is akin to knowing the difference between essential and nonessential. Granted, over the past year and a half we missed the nonessential, including the “normal” parts of our lives we had come to take for granted: socializing, playdates, vacations, kiddushes, weddings, bar/ bat mitzvot, travel, and so much more. These activities are not only enjoyable and fun, but also they are important and significant parts of life. Yet, as badly as we missed them at the time, we learned to live without them — at least for a time and have used the opportunity to realign our priorities, refocus our values, and appreciate the gift of being alive — chayim, even before we get to chayim tovim.

The Talmud (Brachot 58b) says that one who sees a friend after a yearlong lapse recites the blessing, Blessed is He Who revives the dead. Here’s the question: Just because you have been locked down in quarantine and haven’t seen others, does that mean they were dead and have now been revived? Why, when seeing a long-lost friend, invoke resurrection? Every year on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, our lives hang in balance; our future is neither certain nor secure. If we emerge successfully, it is as if we have been recreated, and so when you see someone you haven’t seen in over a year, after a Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur have passed, you make a blessing acknowledging that G-d has revived them and granted them life for another year. Every moment of life in ourselves and the people we loved is meant to be appreciated.

This gives a new perspective on not taking life for granted. Although we ask for chayim tovim — a good life, we cannot do so without first thinking about the gift of life itself. On Rosh Hashanah the Almighty sits on His throne, and the books of life and death are open before Him. Why does He need a book of life; isn’t it enough to be omitted from the book of death? Yes, but though we appreciate life, we still yearn for chayim tovim — a good life, because a life of loneliness and solitude, a life of lockdown and quarantine, a life of retreat, and fighting to survive is not what we had in mind. We ask for chayim tovim, a life of vibrancy, dynamism, a life of company, companionship and community, a life of activity and activism. Our Creator opens two books because we don’t just want to be inscribed not to die; we want to be given the chance to fully live, to live a good life, a life filled with joy, pleasure, nachas, companionship, and happiness. We begin by asking for life, but we don’t hesitate to also ask for chayim tovim — a good life. Let’s aspire to continue to live again, to sit in class together, to hug our friends again, to dance together again, to enjoy Shabbot meals together again and other nonessentials we had taken for granted.

Finally, when determining the difference between essential and nonessential, the main question to ask is, how do others define us in their lives? Are we essential or nonessential? Do we matter to others, do we make a difference in their lives, do we prove ourselves essential to our family and friends, to our colleagues, to our community and most of all to G-d by giving our Jewish brothers and sisters the gift of a community that wants to embrace them with open arms? This year, let’s transform ourselves into essential and eternal Jews.

Shana tova. Blessings for a happy, healthy, sweet, and essential new year.