Healer of the Broken Hearted
Ps. 147:3
How do broken hearts heal?
Time, kindness, gestures of support, new joys, better conditions and realities, love, hope?
All of the above. And sometimes, whether our heart is torn by trauma and by terror, war and violence or a failed friendship -- it’s much harder to heal and more difficult to mend. And yet - we must, or else the heart stops beating altogether. Game over.
How do we heal our own and each other’s broken hearts?
Today’s psalm credits God with all the ways repair and restoration happened. Written by exiles who long to be back in Jerusalem, they write of future times in which the city is once again restored, the exiles gathered, the broken hearts fixed:
הָ֭רֹפֵא לִשְׁב֣וּרֵי לֵ֑ב וּ֝מְחַבֵּ֗שׁ לְעַצְּבוֹתָֽם׃
healing their broken hearts,
and binding up their wounds.
Ps. 147:3
Although the context of this chapter is political and communal -- the attribution of heart-healing is relevant to any and every human situation.
In an attempt to make sense of all the ways our hearts get broken, the famous saying of the Kotzker Rebbe, who lived in the 19th century claims that
“There is nothing so whole as a broken heart...
and nothing more upright than a tilted ladder.”
It’s the brokenness that lets us be more deeply connected to life’s fragile existence and our purpose in the world.
In the Midrash of Vayikra Rabbah another take on this verse is applied, highlighting how the healing can only happen when we let the harm be honored and the pain proclaimed - not hidden or denied.
“Rabbi Alexandri teaches, “If the simpleton keeps trying to use broken vessels, it's shameful, but the Holy Blessed One’s vessels are all broken ones and it's not shameful, as it is written ‘Healer of the broken-hearted’ “
What I think this Midrash tries to teach us is that the honoring of broken hearts is where the healing happens, and the way the world works is that our broken hearts must shatter some illusions and somehow help jumpstart a better way of being in the world. Whether it's God or our life-force that helps us get through whatever hurts - we have the agency to not lose hope.
My friend and teacher R. Shir Meira composed a profound and moving musical rendition of these words. It became quite viral during the days of COVID when we all needed music and inspiration to help our hurting hearts.
It remains so salient and soothing these difficult days.
I return to this track often - when the heart needs help, with deep appreciation. It always lifts me up:
Watch Shir explain this beautiful version of Psalm 147.
Or
Listen to Shir's recording.
I hope we get to hold each other’s hurting hearts, and honor every broken fragment as we heal and grow - in the kindest ways we can.
We all are already each other’s healers, and it’s on us to mend each other’s broken hearts. What will help offer healing today?
PSLAM FOR PEACE!
Our Zoom study sessions are back by popular demand - after a few months off for summer travels and High Holy Days Season.
On Sunday 11/3/24 5pm ET, join me for a hour of contemplative talk & study about the Psalms and their meaning to our lives - right now.
Imagine this as restorative rest-stop with poetic reprieve from anxieties and election fever.
We will mark the completion of all 150 chapters of the Psalms with this co-created online learning session - featuring selections from YOUR favorite psalms.
Bring your own favorite word of line from the psalms, poetic fragment, or just show up to join the conversation.
Together, on the spot, we’ll discover a mosaic of modern and ancient intentions and inspirations - to help us lift up peace, justice and joy at this difficult time, lifting up each other's hopes for better days for all.
Sign up HERE to Pslam for Peace
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