The ‘Dog days of Summer’ are upon us. Named by the ancient Greeks for Sirius, the dog star obediently following on the heels of Orion, which appears at this time of year, has nothing to do with summertime heat. The heat and light we experience are due to our own sun. Even as excessive heat weakens us, light elevates our moods. Contrast long days of light with wintertime blues and blahs. Light perks us up. Remember Annie's incomparable “Tomorrow” which voices the need for optimism. Light is the promise of hope and hope sustains our hearts when we confront loss and sorrow.
Psalm 23 is often associated with loss because of the phrase ‘though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.’ The word death has catapulted Psalm 23 to a special prominence associated with funerals and memorial services. The original Hebrew phrase is better understood ‘even as I walk in the valley of darkness, I will not fear that which is bad because you,God, are with me.’ It is plausible that medieval Christians did not understand an unusual Hebrew word found in Psalm 23. The long Hebrew word TZALMAVET means darkness but there are two separate Hebrew words Tzal (shadow)and mavet (death). Likely, the King James interpretation of Tzal + mavet of the Psalms became set in English for the past 5 centuries instead of TZALMAVET and we are all more familiar with a mistranslation than the more accurate understanding of the original Hebrew. Thus, the Hebrew wording of Psalm 23 conveys an optimistic message. Darkness is temporary and will be followed by light. Hopefully, we can see the light yet to occur in our lives. I mention this, not only to correct a mistranslation which has taken hold of many English-speaking people, but also because the same word TZALMAVET occurs in this week’s Haftarah.
Jeremiah calls out to his own people 2,500 year ago challenging those who think of themselves as sources of ultimate power as opposed to God. In modern words Jeremiah might be asking “Are you capable of illuminating darkness that overtakes the frail and vulnerable human spirit?” I would offer my own comment - ‘Don’t we all need to recognize that something greater than ourselves exists in this world and beyond this world?’
For me, sunsets, as well as other phenomena, daily remind me of my lack of power. As the sun gives way to darkness and incomparable colors are splashed across the heavens, I see the handiwork of the creator. Jewish tradition names this creator God - the sole, responsible initiator of all creation by the first unforgettable words of ‘let there be light’. Light chases away darkness both of night and of fear. May we all allow ourselves the humility to accept support from outside ourselves, from people and from a source as remote and as close as the stars themselves.
Shabbat Shalom.
Rabbi Steve Silberman
No comments:
Post a Comment