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From Rabbi Sherwin Wine (z”l), the founder of Secular Humanistic Judaism:
“The life of courage is hard. But it is, ultimately, rewarding. It makes us pay attention to our own experience. It makes it easy for us to admit the truth. It notices our strength. It protects our dignity. It enables us to assume responsibility for our own lives. It celebrates our own power. It makes us sane in the face of a crazy world.”
While Rabbi Wine and I would disagree on theology, what we agree on is that a life of courage is one worth having. No, it’s not easy. Living with conviction, coupled with a mind open enough to regulate those convictions, is a mature adult life. There are many in this world who simply cannot, or will not, take that path. They are motivated by fear, resentment, retribution, and many other factors. Theirs is a life that may from the exterior look put together, maybe even a life with rich rewards, but is ultimately shallow.
When I read Rabbi Wine’s work, and his focus on courage as a virtue, I began incorporating courage messages into my teaching. For conversion students, I say to have courage as a new Jew, as someone who will face antisemitism, but also as someone whose Jewish identity may be challenged. Additionally, I tell my bnai mitzvah students that courage is what will move them into adulthood, and to not let fear run their lives.
The Maccabees had courage. And that’s how we can Hanukkah. And that’s how you can live a life of dignity and grace.
Thank you for being part of Kehillah. Thank you for believing that people matter. After all, “you matter” is our sole purpose.
Thank you for your time. Thank you for reading all these ideas I have had brewing in my head and for your meaningful feedback.
And lastly, if any of this has been interesting to you, I hope you’ll give a small donation to support our Shabbat and holiday programming. It has helped a lot of people reconnect.
Happy Hanukkah, my dear Kehillah friends.
- Rabbi Patrick
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