October 7
some scattered thoughts on this day
I’ll be honest, this was not what I was going to post today. I had another post all lined up for last week, didn’t end up finishing it, and when I went to hit “send” on it today— something made me pause: the date.
Aside from your Jewish friends and some politicians, this date probably won’t mean much to most people. But for us Jews, this date will forever be etched in our minds just like Pearl Harbor and September 11.
This past year has been paved with difficult feelings and difficult conversations. Every time I post something about Judaism or the war, I’m hit with instant feedback from every facet of my life. I’ve been told I’m not Jewish enough in my response to certain things, or have been told I’m too “Jewish” and have been the victim of anti-semitic assholes. My son has come home from school asking what it means to be Jewish and if I’m a bad person for not believing in Jesus— something I never thought I’d have to defend in the year 2024 to my own Jewish child.
And yet— all these things can be true, and I can still recognize the horrors that have taken place as a result of that day. I can acknowledge the hurt we’re feeling, while also condemning the very same hurt Bibi’s government is inflicting on innocent people. My heart is big enough to hold it all— that’s something I was taught in Hebrew school, actually.
There will be lots of protests and calls for peace in the next several days, as we mark this painful anniversary, as there should be, but I hope we can all take some time to also acknowledge the horror that started it.
Two of my favorite Jewish writers have been providing words of solace and comfort during this past year. They both had beautiful posts today about October 7, that I encourage you to read.
I re-posted something they wrote on my story and during drop-off this morning, another jewish parent subtly thanked me for posting it today. It was in that moment I knew I made the right choice to write about this, instead. (And don’t worry, that other post will come out later this week!)
During times of mourning in Judaism, we recite the Mourner’s Kaddish. It has always been one of my favorite prayers because the cadence is so beautiful (and you even get to do some choreographed heel-raises during it!), so I shall leave you with that.
May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us
and for all Israel1; and say, Amen.
He who creates peace in His celestial heights,
may He create peace for us and for all Israel;
and say, Amen.*
I couldn’t bring myself to alter sacred text, but please know I wanted to put “Israel” in quotes because these words were written when the definition of Israel is very different than what it is now. I believe it to mean a concept of a place, and the community connection, but this is the crux of the conflict, right?