Chazak Chazak V'Nitchazek

This Shabbat will be the 10th straight Shabbat at home. With the Corona virus still spreading, our shuls and schools have been closed, and it will be a while still until we can enjoy a Shabbat morning hearing Kriat HaTorah, learning from an uplifting drasha, and sharing a Lechayim at Kiddush. While it has been nice to have more family time, I think we all look forward to being able to reconnect with each other in person.

The number of deaths just in the U.S. is staggering and tragic. As of this writing the reported number is just under 86,000 people. The emotional and economic impact is tremendous as well. I think we all believe that ultimately the world will find a vaccine and treatment. But we wonder, how long will that take, how many will die in the meantime, and how different will our lives be when we emerge?

One inspiring video that I want to share looks for some positive developments that could come from all this, if we learn and grow from this experience:

https://youtu.be/Nw5KQMXDiM4 

I don't know about you, but I suspect that I am not the only one who goes through moments when I feel optimistic and hopeful and other moments when I am anxious and worried. I have learned over the years that this is (for me at least) a normal way of processing challenges and growing stronger. Whatever challenges we have endured in our lives (Pregnancy losses, Hurricanes, Diabetes, Floods...) this has been a common coping strategy for me. And yet, I always have to remind myself that it is ok to feel whatever I am feeling and that, like a runner running a marathon, there will be times of exhaustion and doubt and other times of strength and confidence.

I am thinking about all this as we enter a Shabbat when we receive the mitzvah to give Chizuk ( VaYikra 25:35 - "V'Hechetzakta Bo") and when we will finish reading Sefer VaYikra and recite the words "Chazak Chazak V'Nitchazek." Why do we say this expression with the word Chazak (strong) three times? Maybe the answer is that there are times that we naturally feel Chazak. But when we don't, we need to say Chazak again and remind ourselves to hang in there. It's like the pasuk says "Kaveh El Hashem Chazak V'Yaametz Libecha VeKaveh El Hashem." Hope to God, strengthen your heart, and hope to God. When you enter the gap where you start to doubt and worry, close your eyes and remember that Hashem is the source of strength, and your hope will be renewed.

This worldwide challenge will leave tremendous pain and loss. But it will also lead to amazing goodness and kindness. To people sacrificing for each other. To a world that learns how to look out for one another. To people appreciating the little things. To us all reflecting on what really matters to us in life and hopefully letting the rest go by.

We are all in this together. Separate, but united. When you feel down or lonely, just know that you are stronger than you think. And if you send me a telepathic message I will send you a bit of Chizuk to help you remember just how strong you are. I hope you will do the same for me.