Yom Yerushalayim 2020

Yom Yerushalayim, for many years, has been very bittersweet for me. That was the day in 1989 I left Israel with my family, with just a little hope left that we’d return in just a couple years. As I’d pass it each of 26 times in Galut, it seemed to rub my nose in the new reality that I no longer really had any place or special relationship with Jerusalem.
This evening begins my fourth celebrating it here again. Each time it begins, I’m filled with the sense of having been given a second chance.
Last week also saw Pesach Sheni, a “second” Pesach. Accommodations were made if someone was unable (sickness or too far away, etc.) to fill their obligation to visit the Temple in Jerusalem three times each year, (with Pesach which included the unique Karbon Pesach, the Pesach sacrifice, each family would offer). they could come exactly one month later and celebrate that day just as if it were “normal” Pesach. In many ways, Pesach was the most important family celebration of the year, so missing it would have been a big deal. Thus, those who missed out their first opportunity would find, built into the system, a second chance.
As I’ve gotten older, I find that I’ve become a lot less demanding, both of people in my life, as well as on myself. This is the day I remind myself that no matter how badly I might screw things up, and each of us does that from time to time, nothing is irredeemable. We might not be able to go back in time and change things but whatever actual opportunity(ies) we missed, there is always a way to make amends, to repair things, to continue on our various lives’ works. As long as we can fill our lungs with breath, we can fill our hearts and our lives and our surroundings with light.
Am Yisrael Chai!

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8 Responses to Yom Yerushalayim 2020

julian y ungar says:

May 22, 2020 at 2:09 pm

what a breath of fresh air to read your confession…wait till you get to my age!!! you become even more forgiving of yourself and others!!! maybe getting older is precisely all about that, learning a new midda of HKBH a new sefira of humility, patience, and “efargin”

- Harry Zeitlin says:
  
  May 22, 2020 at 3:25 pm
  
  Amen. Thank you and Shabbat Shalom.
  
  - julian ungar says:
    
    May 22, 2020 at 3:36 pm
    
    Are you related to Reb Hillel and the poet Aaron?
  - Harry Zeitlin says:
    
    May 22, 2020 at 3:51 pm
    
    The theory is that all Zeitlins are related. Both my grandfather and my father took great pride in our relationship with Reb Hillel and with Aaron (whose name continues with my own son), but I’m not sure of the details.
Jacques Ruda says:

May 22, 2020 at 5:38 pm

I am happy for you. I think you are where you are supposed to be. Shabbat Shalom and an early Chag Someach.

Harry Zeitlin says:

May 22, 2020 at 6:30 pm

Jacques, Always good to hear from you. Yes, I think I made a very good decision returning to Jerusalem.
I keep hoping I’ll see you and Lisa out here for a visit one of these days.
Chag Sameach to you and your family.

Avi Rosenfeld says:

May 23, 2020 at 3:47 am

Amen! thanks for keeping me connected to Yerushalim even from Seattle!

- Harry Zeitlin says:
  
  May 23, 2020 at 10:02 pm
  
  Avi, You’re always connected to Yerushalayim! I’m glad I have the zechut be be part of that connection.
  I’m still waiting for things to reach a new state of tikkun so you can reschedule your trip out here. Between a bunch of your friends here, we had (and will have) great plans for you!
  Stay healthy there in Seattle and keep facilitating so many people’s Jewish journeys.