Can We Rest From Weariness?

 The last three weeks feel interminable, moving like a dense fog and whirling us around all at once. News of deaths, illness, injuries, human suffering and crises, hostages held during this entire span of time, deepening lines of war – the fear and resolve of those in Israel/Palestine translates to anxiety, of separation and worry, elsewhere. Outreaches to elected officials, protests and organizing, and most importantly the ways we care for each other during these days are both a balm and we are often still left feeling helpless, at the decisions and desires of power structures. [I don’t have an answer here, and am reticent to have conversations about such a detailed, destructive event in writing – but if you reach out I am happy to discuss current events.] Every week I have the overwhelming feeling that I must write at least a few words, spend time in text, and bring any insights or comfort possible…and at the same time, I want to acknowledge how the world is impacted by war, and how war affects the way each of us approaches text.

The Haftarah (Isaiah 40:27-40:16) this week felt like an ancient balm when I began reading:

Why do you say, Jacob, and (why) do you aver, Israel, “My path is concealed from G!d, and my G!d passes over my plea”?

Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard? G!d is eternally G!d, creator of the entire earth, who doesn’t grow weary or faint, with no possible investigation of G!d’s intelligence

(G!d) gives power to the weary and to (those who feel like) nothing, increases the power of (their) strength.

Commentators found comfort in the renewable nature of strength promised in the last verse, and the hope that with this strengthening, we must press on and feel encouraged. In the Shacharit (morning prayers) we remember the promised power, “בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעולָם. הַנּותֵן לַיָּעֵף כּחַ:” Indeed, especially upon reading this verse, there is space for hope, encouragement, the opportunity to gather our resources and resolve and move forward.

The verse before that, promising that G!d doesn’t weary – especially in these times of people fighting, brings a larger question to the forefront. In what ways is the prophet asserting that G!d doesn’t become tired? Is that true of war, of holding the terror and sadness of death, kidnapping, inhumanity, destruction? How does G!d’s lack of growing tired relate to the strength seemingly promised to the weary humans seeking strength and solace?

The last verse of this chapter is the pinpoint of many songs:

But the ones who wait for G!d will find newness of might, as the eagle grows (new) wings, they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not become fatigued.

The next chapter continues with encouraging phrases – and this week, thinking about the encouragement of these verses along with the risk of the parsha, perhaps the slightest moments of rest will feel possible.

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This week, we לך לך (Lekh Lekha) – we begin a journey away from what we’ve always known, going away in search of a promise, an idea. Following without seeing feels risky at any given point, and reading that instruction in our modern times is almost laughable. Life, though, still requires taking steps and making choices to move forward without the clarity of what will happen, without a known end point, through the hope of promises and possibilities.