There was a funny moment at my son’s soccer game when a player that rarely scores, scored not one, but two goals. As the team whooped and hollered in celebration, the coaches had to tamp down the excitement. For, as joyous as the moment was for my son’s team, it was anything but for the players on the other side.
I bring this up, considering this week’s Torah portion, BeShalach, which accounts the crossing of the sea, and the ancient Israelites joyous celebration in full view of their Egyptian counterparts. In a Midrash from the Talmudic tractate of Megillah that I shared on Friday night; the angels want to join in the festivities. God, famously, berates them: “the work of my hands are drowning in the sea, and you want to celebrate?”
Here, almost two years into a pandemic, with suffering and sadness abounding, what are we allowed to sing about? Our successes as individuals or as a community? Our own health and happiness? The Bills’ second AFC East title?
As a rule, one should not celebrate in a way that would cause pain to others. But, at the same time, the rabbis insist we always acknowledge our own blessings. Notice in the text from the Talmud it was the angels held back, not the people. We, mere mortals, are not as good at containing our emotions. In this spirit, please join me in offering a joyous and emphatic: “Go Bills!”
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Alex