My dearest sister/friend in the whole wide world sent me a link for a song by Leonard Cohen…Come Healing. It starts out rather ethereal, then Leonard’s deep, old-man voice comes in with a jarring duality. The juxtaposition between the two kept me on the surface of the song as I absorbed the intonations of his dusky baritone. Then I listened again. And again. I finally looked up the lyrics and followed along as the song played for the umpteenth time and I got it. 

I thought of sharing it with you for “Feel Good Friday”, but something made me wait. Partially because it stirred something within me that didn’t necessarily feel that great. But there was something deeper. Something darker. Something like the feeling you get before a bad storm or a not-so-great visit to the doctor. Something anticipatory that I couldn’t put my finger on. I just knew the time wasn’t right to post it yesterday. Last night, I found out why.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died.

We were finishing up shopping at Walmart when my phone pinged with the notification and I cried out, “Noooooo!” Mr. FixIt was ahead of me and he turned with a look of concern. I walked up to him and wordlessly showed him my phone. Such an amazing, strong woman who has fought tirelessly for women’s rights, the Notorious RBG is irreplaceable. They broke the mold when she came along and we are the worse for her loss.

Grief comes in many forms and circumstances. We can grieve over anything that breaks our hearts and what seems inconsequential to some is devastating to others. I read a tweet yesterday where a father revealed their 12-year-old son had died suddenly this week. I scanned a few of the comments. I’m not the social etiquette police, but I do try to find teaching moments when it comes to what not to say to the bereaved. It didn’t take long to see someone flat out ask what happened to his son that he “died suddenly”. I replied “There is a certain decorum expected from humans surrounding the death of a loved one…especially one’s child. The kind thing is to express sincere condolences. This is about them needing support…nothing else.” I seldom make a wave on Twitter, but that response struck a chord with many.

There’s so much chaos in the world today…so much of it man made. I would like to posit that much of what is being stirred is by the few and not the many. Much is being planted by nefarious players out to divide us because that’s our weakest link. Much is being manipulated by extremists from both ends of the spectrum and they are pitting us against “them” when “them” is in all actuality…”US”.

We need healing. I don’t know about you, but I crave healing like one craves a hug from a mother long dead. It is so easy to succumb to thinking “It’s just one more thing. 2020 sucks!” Well, as far as years go, 2020 has certainly not been my favorite. But, as I grappled for the words to say today, I thought of the significance this day brings. Ruth Bader Ginsberg was the first Jewish female justice…the longest-serving Jewish justice ever. And she died at the beginning of Rosh Hashanah….the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah is celebrated for two days by eating apples and honey to symbolize the wishes for a sweet New Year. And, it ushers in the Days of Awe…the High Holy Days culminating in the most somber of all Jewish holidays. Yom Kippur. The Day of Atonement. The period of time between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is to be spent in solemn introspection of one’s personal transgressions…ultimately asking for forgiveness. From those you trespassed against…and from God. 

According to Jewish tradition, one who dies on Rosh Hashanah is referred to as a Tzaddik…a person of great righteousness. The root of the word sadiq means “justice”.

How ironic that RBG would leave us on this day of all days. She held out as long as she possibly could but her body just would not carry her any further. My prayer is for comfort for her family in their time of great loss. And for our country as we are once again dealt another blow. And for our healing…our human healing. May we find the spaces between us fill with love.

Come Healing.

?

“Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.”

Jeremiah 17:14 NIV