We tell stories that describe us as many Jews and as a Jewish people. These stories sparkle with surprises and reversals.
The story of Jacob and his family, the first family of Judaism, comes to its finale and conclusion this week, as we complete the reading of the Book of Genesis.
Jacob became Israel, our namesake, and in this week’s reading he blessed his sons and grandsons. Jacob surprised his son Joseph, when he elevated Joseph’s sons to the same status as Joseph’s brothers, giving them double portions, and continued to upend things by offering the younger son the older son’s blessing.
Jacob himself had stolen the firstborn blessing, and now he bequeaths blessings out of order to his descendants – a reversal that should come as no surprise.
We are descendants of Jacob, the heel-grabber and reverser of fortunes. We enter this new secular year, coming through the other side of the darkest weeks of the year, offering praise and gratitude for the reliable cycles of the sun and the moon, and keeping our eyes open for the surprises that people will offer us. We know we must hold on tight – every moment may become the ride of our lives.
At Temple Beth Zion we wish blessings of hope and health, goodness and well-being to everyone, our families, our neighbors, all the fellow-travelers in our world.
Happy 2018 everyone!
Jonathan