Dear JCCNS Members and Community,
I think it’s fair to say that many of us don’t think often, if at all, about God’s role in our lives until the High Holidays approach. In my experience, this is especially true for younger people and those who don’t consider themselves “religious.”
However, even those who doubt God’s existence, who feel confident in their control over their own lives, and who carry a sense of invulnerability, still experience some anxiety at the thought of being judged by a higher power during this time of year.
After all, no one likes to be judged, especially not by a higher power that determines our fate, and that can invoke fear within even the most confident.
Considering this yearly “reality check,” what can we learn from scripture that helps us thrive in uncertainty—to borrow the title of a lecture I once heard by Rabbi Warren Goldstein, Chief Rabbi of the Union of Orthodox Synagogues of South Africa. Specifically, how can biblical wisdom help us navigate times of heightened anxiety and make sense of the apparent contradiction of not fully believing in something, yet still feeling fear toward it?
Most people have moments of confidence and courage, depending on the situation. But the human condition almost guarantees that we will also face fear and self-doubt.
In Parshat Eikev in the book of Deuteronomy, God tells the Israelites not to fear the “giants” inhabiting the land of Canaan. He assures the fledgling nation that they will be victorious in their quest to conquer their future homeland. Yet in the same passage, He also warns them not to become arrogant or overconfident in the aftermath of that victory.
Rabbi Goldstein, quoting the Rambam, teaches that we are called to walk a balanced path between courage and fear. In navigating this tension, we can forge something new—a path of beauty and peace. The Rabbi emphasizes that the key to managing these seemingly opposing traits lies in cultivating an awareness of God: a recognition that God created the world, is ever-present and all-powerful, and that the purpose of creation is not for God’s needs, but for human benefit and pleasure that we experience through a close relationship with the Divine.
Of course, in the face of suffering and hardship, this conception of God can be difficult to embrace. Yet as we reflect on the deeper meaning of the High Holidays, what resonates with me is the idea that, even when life doesn’t unfold as we hope, we are never truly alone. For me, the journey toward beauty and contentment begins with gratitude: recognizing the good in our lives and maintaining a sense of perspective in relation to the inevitable daily challenges we face. This awareness helps protect us from fear, grounds us in humility, and reminds us how little we truly control. Life is unpredictable and can change in an instant.
In times of uncertainty and stress, acknowledging the impermanence of our existence, and trusting that God desires what is best for us, can bring comfort. Though pain can obscure this truth, with deeper awareness we may begin to glimpse meaning even in our struggles. Such faith offers a foundation for equanimity, resilience, and hope.
The Rabbi further suggests that this awareness can serve as a catalyst for growth and productivity, enabling us to navigate an uncertain world without falling into hubris or fear. Such growth might involve engaging with community as a source of goodness and transcendence, living with moral and spiritual integrity, and cultivating compassion by withholding harsh judgment of others while recognizing that we cannot know how we ourselves might respond in similar circumstances.
In times of pain or stress, I’ve always found comfort in the belief that God is ever-present, offering support and guidance. As expressed so powerfully in Psalm 23, which is often understood not only in the context of death but also as a metaphor for a living awareness of God’s presence:
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff,
they comfort me.”
These words remind us that we are never truly alone, even in our darkest moments.
May you all be comforted by God’s presence throughout your days and may we all be blessed with a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year filled with good deeds.
L’shana Tovah
