How do we live with uncertainty? Science has attempted to solve our anxieties about the unknown with precise prescriptions for our ailments and woes, with weather forecasts and molecular medical means. But we now know, with humility, that theres’s so much more we may never be in control of. The droughts that ravage earth right now remind us that the rain, like fire, is a force much greater than our human mind will likely know. When planning ahead for his people’s future as farmers, Moses prepares them for relying on rain, linking the promise of fertility and flourishing to the observance of divine laws. If we will live according to the laws -and that’s a big if - it’ll rain, he promises. The Promised Land, especially, is under close scrutiny for any deviation that may leads to loss. Space and time connect here in a fascinating way that also winks at this moment on the Jewish calendar - where today’s chapter meets the last days of the Jewish year:
The emphasis on the Land of Israel being the one place where God’s surveillance is on 24/7 makes sense in the context of this Book of Words - all roads lead to the final settlement in the land promised to the chosen people long ago, etc. But there’s more going on here, with relevance for humans and lands, everywhere.
The Hebrew word for ‘looks after’ in this verse is ‘Doresh’ which means much more than ‘looking’. It is conntecetd to the Hebrew verb which means ‘Midrash’ - as in ‘to comment on, make sense of, demand or interpret’. Focusing on this unique verb in this context, rabbinic sages read this verse not just for its spatial dimensions but also for it’s use of sacred time. What the divine is doresh’ing is the ongoing quality of our lives. And how we live our lives has repercussions. Doesn’t that sound similar to how we understand our environmental crisis situation?
With all that we don’t know and can’t predict - there is a certain certainty that time is pretty much stable, with sun and moon and calendars consistent through most of our lives. The notion of God’s observing and judging us - from the beginning of one year into its end is what evolved over generations into the liturgy of the Days of Awe, just around the corner. This verse is maybe the first time that the idea of a ‘Book of Life’ is hinted at -- the notion that we are seen, accountable, and each new year brings back this awareness - as a wake up call.
Commenting on this verse, The Talmudic Rabbi Judah quotes his teacher Rav: There are three matters that we need extra help with, with hopes for best outcomes: A good ruler, a good year, and a good dream. We never know what kind of leaders we will have, and we can only hope for the best, and do our best to support the worthy leaders. A good dream - we can always hope for less nightmares and more good dreams that come true - and a good year - wishing for favorable eyes upon us, and with each other, as positive as possible. The rest, who knows?
One weird, wonderful, and non-vegan tradition for Rosh Ha’shana is to begin the new year with a head of fish on one’s plate. I remember it from childhood: My father always got the big fish head, likely Carp, as he sat at the head of the table, on on the night of the head of the new year, and loved licking the bones.
Why? Because the head - like the head of the year, is about leading from the top and starting the year with intention - and because fish, like the God of Surveillance as in today’s chapter, never close their eyes. Shana Tova.
TOMORROW: Can We Talk? Want to learn more, discuss your thoughts and feelings about the Book of Words and Below the Bible Belt? Join me tomorrow - Thursday September 22 2022, 1pm ET - for a one hour conversation on Zoom. Bring your questions and fish recipes.
Below the Bible Belt: 929 chapters, 42 months, daily reflections: Join Rabbi Amichai’s 3+ years interactive online quest to question, queer + re-read between the lines of the entire Hebrew Bible, with daily reflections, weekly videos and monthly learning sessions. January 2022-July 2025
What Godx sees is not what we are but rather all of what we can be. Their sight is insight — with warnings and promises about the many possible paths ahead. Less watching over, more watching out for — eyes open at the head, navigating for the flipping back-and-forth tail of humanity that propels the head, guided by all-seeing eyes, ever forward.
Doresh-Derash:
What Godx sees is not what we are but rather all of what we can be. Their sight is insight — with warnings and promises about the many possible paths ahead. Less watching over, more watching out for — eyes open at the head, navigating for the flipping back-and-forth tail of humanity that propels the head, guided by all-seeing eyes, ever forward.