We begin this New Year with an ending. This week’s parasha, Va-y’chi, is the last portion in the Book of B’reishit - Genesis. It chronicles the end of our forefather Jacob’s life as well.
Before he passes away, Jacob has the opportunity to bless his grandsons, Joseph’s children Ephraim and Menashe, with words that Jewish parents bestow on their sons each Friday night: Y’simcha Elohim k’Efraim V’chi-m’nasheh - May God make you like Efraim and Menasheh.
Jacob addresses his sons with parting words as well. He has words of praise for some of his sons, most especially Judah, Dan, Issachar and Joseph. But he directs harsh criticism at others of his sons, namely Reuben, Shimon and Levi.
We can’t really describe Jacob’s words as “blessings” because some of his sons are not really blessed. They’re not really cursed either; it’s more that Jacob is predicting their futures based on their past behaviors.
Sometimes what is couched as a blessing isn’t really one. You may recall that scene in “Fiddler on the Roof” where the rabbi of Anatevka is asked, “Rabbi, is there a proper blessing for Czar?” He replies, “A blessing? Of course, my son: May God bless and keep the Czar…far away from us!!”
I think we would all agree that 2020 was a year of both blessing and curse. The curse, of course, was the coronavirus pandemic, with its continuing toll both in terms of sickness and death as well as the toll it has taken on so many people’s livelihoods, living circumstances and frames of mind.
The blessing, which arose as a result of the curse, is the many ways in which we have dealt with this crisis: the swift development of an effective vaccine, new and creative ways of communicating and staying in touch with people, and for many of us, a greater appreciation for the things that we do have.
It’s a blessing to be able to focus on, or at least recognize, the positives in our lives during such a difficult time.
As we transition to a new year, we should do so with a sense of optimism. Yes, there is still a long way to go in controlling, if not eradicating, the threat which Covid-19 poses to us all. But we need to focus on the positive strides which are taking place now which will (now that’s optimism!) result in a return to a semblance of normalcy in the coming months.
There’s no question that this past year has changed us in many, many ways. I hope that you can say, as did Elphaba and Glinda in the Broadway musical “Wicked,” “I do believe I have been changed for the better.”
May 2021 be a better year for all of us!!