It seems overwhelming and yet as Jews this has more often than not been our people's situation. Our Rosh Hashanah has never been about partying and celebration, but a rather tries to find a balance between the solemn and the joyous, facing the new year with open eyes all too aware of the fragility of human existence and yet ever optimistic that we can find a way to bring change for the good and fix what is broken to avert potential calamity in the coming year.
More than ever I find that our traditional simanim, symbolic foods eaten at the Rosh Hashanah eve dinner, fit with this year's painful reality.
This Jewish tradition is very much part of modern secular Israeli culture, our poetry and songs are steeped in this bittersweet wondering what terrible decree is round the corner and a firm belief that things can get better, that it is within our ability to repair a damaged world.
Maybe Naomi Shemer is the classic Israeli lyricist who best epitomised this duality, most famously in her hit "Al Kol Eleh" in which she prays "Please my good God, watch over these, the honey and the sting, the bitter and the sweet, do not uproot that which has been planted, don't forget the hope."
I find comfort in these traditions, in the connection with generations of our ancestors who endured and hoped and persevered. This Rosh Hashanah more than ever we are preparing our traditional siman foods and their blessings which more than ever feel immediate and relevant - May the Almighty quash all evil decrees, erase the plans of those who wish us ill, bless us with a sweet year, may we be as full of good deeds as the seeds of a pomegranate, end those who wish to destroy us, banish sorrow, plague and suffering, bless us that we merit to see the fruits of our labours...
Some of the simanim have added meanings for us this year:
Kiddush wine from the Dalton and Ben Zimra wineries in the north - a siman for all the people of northern Israel who are refugees, who have spent the past year under Hizballah bombardment. May Hashem bless the IDF with success in restoring security and peace to northern Israel and southern Lebanon and defeating the evil plans of Hizballah so that all those displaced can return home in safety. To honour all the vintners and farmers who have continued tending their crops and working the land under fire. In profound gratitude to all our sons and daughters, sisters and brothers who this holiday are in uniform defending us.
Pomegranate from a local farm - may Hashem bless Israel's struggling farmers with a fruitful year and bountiful rains at the right time. Hashem watch over all the farm workers and volunteers and keep them safe especially out in the open fields and orchards.
New fruit for Sheheiyanu blessing: pomelit (oroblanco, sweetie) that I picked this week in kibbutz Beeri and last week in kibbutz Re'im, across the road from the site of the Nova massacre. To remember the horror of a year ago and the many hostages still captive in Gaza, but also to give thanks for the resilience of our people and the sacrifice and acheivements of our IDF that have made it safe for thousands of displaced Israelis from the Gaza border to start returning home, and to work the citrus groves of these kibbutzim next to the Gaza border.
Honey from kibbutz Erez, near the Gaza border - to remember the honey and the sting: the pain suffered by the Gaza border communities last October, the bravery of those who defended them, including the manager of Erez Honey, who was seriously wounded in defence of his kibbutz during the Hamas attack last year, the strength and faith in the future of the people who have rebuilt, restored and returned to their homes.
Please Hashem, bless us this year with life and renewal in the face of those still seeking our destruction, with the hope and strength to continue rebuilding and restoring, that all those still in captivity will return home, with success and protection for our soldiers working so hard to protect us and most of all with peace for us and our neighbours and all of our troubled region.
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