Rosh Hashanah 5780 — Sounds of Silence

Rabbi Yael Levy

Rosh Hashanah 5780 — A Talk

Mishkan Shalom

Shana Tova.

How amazing and beautiful to stand together on the edge of another new year and new decade, as we are leaving the 70s and going into the 80’s.

And how do we begin?

How do we focus ourselves?

How do we prepare to step into the New Year when we have no idea what this year will bring and what it will ask of us individually and collectively.

As we stand here at this threshold,

What can focus our attention and guide our steps,

And help us prepare for what we do not know?

The mystics look to the number of the year to give us practices and guidance as we step across this threshold.

In the—mystical practice—each number corresponds to a Hebrew letter—here we are in 5780, 80 corresponds to the letter pei, which means mouth.

This year 5780—urges us to focus on—and be intentional about the words of our mouths—

The words we say to ourselves,

The words we say to each other and about each other,

The words we put out into the universe.

This makes sense—because as we know, as we have seen and experienced—words have great power.

Words have the power to create and words have the power to destroy.

Words can inspire and manifest beauty—love—connection and words can call forth hatred, fear and violence

The words we engage with direct our energy, attention and actions.

The words we use shape who we are.

This New Year 5780—implores us to be vigilant about the words we use, the words we put out there in the universe—

Because words create this world we live in.

This is our Torah reading today—

“In the beginning Gd created the heavens and the earth.”

First there was tohu v’vohu—formless chaos—deep darkness and winds sweeping over rushing waters.

And Gd spoke and said—let there be light—and there was light.

And God spoke and waters separated and became sea and sky.

And God spoke and the sea was gathered and earth appeared.

At God’s words vegetation came forth, orbs appeared in the sky, creatures emerged filling the sea, air and land.

Gd spoke and creation became.

Speech itself bought all life into being.

Speech itself manifested creation.

And—tradition says—

Before speech there was silence—before beresheet—before the beginning, before anything that was created, there was silence.

A silence that was deep and complete and contained nothing and everything.

The words that brought creation into being arose from silence.

All Creation—everything that is—arose out of silence

Listen the tradition says— shema—

Listen into the silence.

Listen into the beating of your own heart.

Listen into the heartbeat of the world.

Listen into creation itself.

And wait.

Listen and wait for the words to arise that need to be said.

Listen and wait for the words to arise that will make meaning out of chaos.

Listen and wait for the words to arise that are yours to speak into creation.

We are living in a time when the possibilities for communication are vast and quick

Emails and texts arrive constantly with the expectation of a very quick response time. I am sure that I am not the only who feels—

I texted 15 minutes ago—why haven’t I heard back yet?

And in face to face conversations as well—we are so used to the expectation of a quick back and forth.

There is such a high value placed on always having some thing to say and to say it right away

Because of this, silence and pauses can feel embarrassing or awkward.

We are so used to filling the space quickly—it can feel like there is something wrong if we leave quiet space between us.

And we are living in a time that feels and is so urgent.

There is such a need to act quickly for the sake of each other—our country—the planet.

And because of the urgency and because of speed at which we live—

the pause— the listening —the silence is essential.

We need the pause to help us find the words to say and speak them in a way they will be heard.

We need the pause to help us find the words that will speak meaning into this chaos and help us see how best to be and act in these times.

This year that we are entering into—5780—that focuses our attention on the words of our mouths—and the silences out of which these words rise—

Let us begin with three practices—

1. Pausing before we respond—whether in email-text faced to face, taking a few breaths—allowing some silent space—we don’t have to rush to find the words.

Slowing down our communications—so we can listen—connect—and find the words to say.

2. Being aware of the words we use—

When referring to ourselves and others

Even when talking about something difficult or someone difficult

Be aware of not going down the road of encouraging hateful speech in ourselves and each other

Speak in the affirmative—speak for what we stand for—rather than what we stand against.

3. Find a word or a phrase—to place upon our hearts, before our eyes

Words to repeat a mantra—that can help direct our energy and attention Words that will bring calm, guidance, comfort.

When mind the starts to wander and thoughts distract and berate use a word or a phrase to redirect our energy and attention—bring some calm into the system—focus our energy with intention.

We are standing on the edge of a new year and in this moment the tradition says everything is possible—a new world—a new creation can come to be.

May each of us and may all of us together listen deeply and find the words that are ours to say—

Words that will make meaning out of the chaos

Words that will open hearts

And guide us in creating a world

In which love and truth—justice and peace prevail.