Respite from outrage

Editorial

"Rage," says New York columnist Jimmy Breslin, "is the only quality which has kept me, or anybody I have ever studied, writing columns for newspapers."

Frequent readers of this page will appreciate Breslin's words. Rage is the disposition inspiring many of these editorials. Not without reason. There is plenty to outrage us in the world. Israel is under interminable attack by Middle Eastern extremism, and Israel advocates around the world are under attack by activists who refuse to correctly identify the perpetrators and the victims in this conflict. To say nothing of the myriad atrocities, large and small, taking place in every corner of the world.

Taking a breather from all that does not mean the rage subsides. But this page, like all of us who care about Israel and the world more broadly, should exercise caution so that we do not succumb to outrage fatigue. There may not be enough ink or enough paper to address all the issues we would like to see righted in the world. But we should ensure that we take time, as well, to recognize what victories there are and the achievements we have accomplished.

Next month, Israelis and Jews around the world will mark Yom Hazikaron, the remembrance day for those who have died in defence of Israel. When the sun goes down on Yom Hazikaron, we will turn from grief and remembrance to celebration and elation. Yom Ha'atzmaut this year marks the 60th anniversary of the modern miracle that is the state of Israel. This year's Vancouver celebration, at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, takes place May 7 and promises to be a remarkable and moving evening.

As we approach this momentous occasion, we should take time to step away from our natural cautionary instincts and let loose a little in celebration of all we have achieved as a people.

For all the perils and conflicts, Israel was, is and continues to be, a true light unto the nations. Israel has shown how life can be coaxed from dry earth and how democracy can flourish in a region scorched by despotism. Israel, in the face of all condemnation and adversity, has given to the world some of the 20th and 21st centuries' greatest ideas, consumer goods, discoveries, research and innovations. Israel has been willing to share – and has shared with those willing to learn – the lessons of post-colonial statecraft. From nothing, the Israeli people have built civil infrastructure, universities, one of the world's highest standards of living and a cultural output that is remarkable for a linguistic market about the size of Ontario.

Everything that Israel has done in the past 60 years – indeed, Israel's very existence – is as miraculous today as it was in 1948, as its survival was in 1967.

But the cost has been extremely high. The achievements we celebrate on Yom Ha'atzmaut have come at the cost of the incalculably painful losses we have suffered, which we mark on Yom Hazikaron.

Preceding these two special days, of course, comes Passover, the ultimate (of several) Jewish holy days upon which we reflect on the miracle of survival, self-determination and liberty. And, of course, every week we are presented with the opportunity to escape the workaday world and honor Shabbat.

There is a reason why Jews celebrate Shabbat, and a reason why Jewish successes throughout history can be attributed at least partially to this phenomenon of taking one-seventh of the week off from the ordinary. Our ancient forebears knew the importance of stepping back from the daily ordinariness of life and considering things from a broader, more thoughtful, less hurried perspective.

With the hectic nature of life today – and the seemingly exponential growth in the number of rage-inducing local and world events – a moment out of time is more vital than ever. Even so, as religious observance has declined over the decades, Shabbat observance has become less common.

For the observant, Shabbat is a time to reflect on spiritual and religious matters. But it need not be limited, nor should it be cast aside by those who do not consider themselves frum (observant). By setting aside a day for a higher purpose, the potential for improving ourselves and our world increases.

The coming weeks offer us plenty of time to reflect. Events of recent days and recent decades, if we look for them, offer plenty for which we should celebrate.

Whether it is Shabbat, Yom Hazikaron, Yom Ha'atzmaut or the seders of Passover, let's take time to refresh and replenish. Soon enough, there will be cause for indignation again.

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