Mixed Feelings by Rabbi Sandra Kviat

‘Blessed are you Eternal One, who mixes the mixing”.

The words in the evening prayer called ‘maariv aravim’ is normally translated as ‘who brings on the twilight’ but a more direct translation of the root a-r-v is ‘mixing’. I think it's a very poignant and rather creative way of looking at the transition from day to night, at that in-between period as a mixing of the last red and golden rays of sunshine before they fade into the blues and blacks of the night. And it reminds us that we don't go from one state to the other, without first going through a period that is a swirl of many things, rather than either day or night. Twilight has both day and night in it, it is an 'in between' space.

It feels as if we’re in another ‘in between space’ at the moment as well.  

On Tuesday night Israel celebrates its 75th anniversary. Progressive Jews from all around the country will mark Israel@75, at 7pm. The event, organised by Liberal Judaism’s rabbis and presented by Rabbi Dr René Pfertzel and Rabbi Gili Zidkiyahu, will give us the chance to get together and celebrate Israel’s 75th anniversary joyfully and reflectively.

But there are a lot of mixed feelings right now in relation to what is going on in Israel. The issues around the judiciary and the rule of law, whether the proposed changes will undermine democracy and the human rights of so many. And so before we can celebrate we need to reflect and hear more from those who were at the demonstrations, at Shabbat dinner tomorrow night.

Alon, a Chavurah member who has been to the demonstrations, will give us a brief outline of what has happened and what is being planned. Whether you made it to the demonstrations or wished you had but could not get away, tomorrow is an opportunity to reflect together, as we welcome in Shabbat.

“Blessed are You who turns light into darkness and darkness into light”