Why are emotions (of faith) so difficult? Among the many reasons is that when we experience difficult emotions we are needing to hold two truths at the same time.

 

Eg. 

I am experiencing suffering (truth) but I believe that G-d is a good G-d (truth).  

I love you deeply (truth) but you are doing something is hurtful (truth).

I know I need to interact with that person (truth) but I find them to be _____ (truth).

 

Here are options to engage in when we have difficult emotions?

1. Pick one of the truths and rationalize the other truth.

2. Pick one of the truths and focus on finding some resolution with the other truth.

3. Being in the state of discomfort and being ok with that.

 

I suspect like me you are having a really tough time with the news going on in Israel.

 

I want the hostages to be returned home (truth) but I know it’s a deal that is releasing terrorists/murderers that ought never be freed (truth).

 

When a child scrapes their knee they run to their mommy or daddy and into their embrace. The hug doesn’t make the scraped knee feel better. It makes the emotional pain more tolerable.  

 

Here are some things that people have been sharing about the hostage deal.

“I’m sure the Israeli Government has a secret plan”.

“Ultimately the families of the hostages pain needs to be addressed”.

“We have no choice”
“Trump Pushed it”
“Biden Pushed it”

 

In this week’s Torah portion G-d appears to Moshe in the burning bush. The bush according to the Midrash was a thorn bush.

 

Why a thorn bush? To teach us that G-d is with us in all of the darkness and pain.

 

I can’t make sense of what is going on. I have many truths that I’m holding in place around this hostage deal.

I’m happy for the families that will have loved ones returned.

I grieve with the families that will get closure on the murders of their loved ones.

I’m angry together with the families who have lost loved ones to terrorist murder and that those murderers will go free.

I’m angry that the world will in some warped way find fault with Israel again.

I’m frustrated that Hamas gets to walk away.

And on and on and on.

 

I lean in to Hashem’s embrace from the Burning Thorn Bush knowing that He is with me in this suffering. I know that Hashem has a masterplan. I await desperately to see how this plan materializes and I can see the good in this. I believe that. I believe every day and await the coming of Moshiach.

 

Hugs to each of you. Sending love and strength. 

Shabbat Shalom.

 

Rabbi Eliyahu Schusterman