29 Weeks

 Dear Friends,


There used to be a television program called "that was the week that was..." which reviewed events of the previous week.

Well for those of you who have been reading these blogs religiously, this past week was a tough week and this blog will be intense.  But I haven't hidden my feelings for 29 weeks so why start now?  .

In the weekly Torah reading, we read about the Tower of Babel and how language was confused as folks tried  to  build a tower to heaven.  As I think about their difficulty in communicating, I continue to think about the things that we sometimes neglect to say to our loved ones when we can.

I had the opportunity to see the musical, Damn Yankees this week and the following song was very poignant for me.  As  you  listen to the lyrics, you will understand that when one doesn't  have the chance to say goodbye, one is filled with lots of mixed emotions about what was said and what wasn't said during a lifetime relationship.  

A Man Doesn't Know

As I listened to these lyrics I realized how challenging it is to find words that express one's love for another human being.  Sometimes, we just can't find the words to express what we wish we could say.   I hope that all of us wil find the words that will allow us to share how we truly feel about the people with whom we are close.

My favorite Broadway show, Man of LaMancha has a very touching scene when the main character is facing his imminent death.  After a lifetime of dreaming the impossible dream and wanting to march into hell for a heavenly cause, he is finally on his deathbed.

He turns to his Dulcinea who never quite understood his quixotic dreaming and desire to reach the unreachable star.  Please listen to the words of the reprise of  Impossible Dream and Dulcinea's response to his dreams.  


I wish I could find the words to lessen the pain I felt this week and yet, I know that I have the power to choose between light and joy, or darkness and sadness.

Perhaps as the weeks go by, the journey toward light will be the words that will encourage me to reach the unreachable star and be able to remember the good times without dwelling in the midst of the shadow of sadness.  As those of you  who were at the celebration of Sue's life almost six months ago remember,  she was my Dulcinea although she didn't like being held to this standard.  I had often envisioned the following scene when I predeceased her.  Now when I listen to these words, I realize that I long for her encouragement to continue to right the unrightable wrong and love pure and chaste from afar.  

I appreciate all of you who are on this journey with me.  I hope and pray that we will remind each other not to give up our quests to dream our impossible dreams.

Perhaps the world will be better for this, that one person  scorned and covered with scars  still will strive with their last ounce of courage to reach the unreachable star.

I miss her words of support.  May we use our words to bring hope, kindness, and love to our world.

Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi Bruce Aft 

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