Marking the Coming of Spring.
There are official website alerts in Japan for the cherry blossom season. Sakura Watch, a sort of national Spring watch by everyone who wants to see the opening of those pink and white petals/flowers, will anticipate the flowering dates in different cities. This week the first blossoms have been spotted.
I am taken by this collective watching of Spring and what it can teach us – particularly now.
Our collective hearts are breaking at this outbreak of fighting, the escalation of violence in Gaza and in the West Bank and the misery of the last few hostage families waiting and terrified by what it means. Our eyes are glued to the news and the geo-political situations. Our hope is sapped as we witness yet more suffering.
We have good reason for that – paying attention is our responsibility. You are not allowed to be indifferent – Lo tuchal l’hitalem – as Deuteronomy reminds us.
But in all of this we forget to watch for Spring, to keep our eyes looking outwards to nature and the passing of seasons. Yet to watch that is also our responsibility.
Always at this time of year, I remind myself of Rabbi Nachman of Bratzlav’s invitation to take time out of doors in nature:
Grant me the ability to be alone; may it be my custom to go outdoors each day among the trees and grass – among all growing things and there may I be alone, and enter into prayer, to talk with the One to whom I belong.
The trees, grass and onset of spring, wherever you are, even without the glorious Japanese sakura, do give energy and nourishment and the capacity for hope. Seasons wait for no-one. We can watch the natural passage of time.
An American synagogue offered an innovation a few years ago of a green thread to be worn during, and even in the build-up to, Passover: green for spring and the thread a reminder of all those not yet free. On Pesach, we’ll offer Hallel, those psalms 113-118, both at synagogue and round our Seder tables – ‘min hametzar karati yah v’ani b’merchav yah,’ from a narrow place I called to You and You answered me in wide expansiveness. What a brilliant, visceral wearing of hope.
I love the integration of both together. It grounds us in the outdoors and the greenery of Spring and yet pulls us to hope for a better, safer future.
From that most familiar of anthems, od lo avda tikvateinu – let us never be without hope, may Spring and its burgeoning blossoms and greens inspire us.
A version of this is being published in London Jewish News this week.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rebecca
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