When we started Eicha this past week, I was not only excited because we finished Kohelet, but I was also excited because Jerusalem is my favorite city on earth. As cliche as it sounds coming from a practicing Jew, I believe Jerusalem holds all the beauty in the world. I remember walking through the streets staring at what one can call an ugly, old, stone wall, and seeing the immense amount of beautiful, and magnificent history in those walls.
When we started learning Eicha, and talking about the destruction of alluring Jerusalem, I somehow still saw the amazing amount of glory in the city. I sat there and thought to myself, why am I so intrigued by the DESTRUCTION of my favorite city on earth? Why should I still see the beauty of this destroyed city? When sitting in the lounge talking to everyone about school, Eicha came up and I burst out, "I love Eicha." The amount of weird stares I got from that statement was awful, but that's what made me realize why I love it so much, especially when we are learning about its destruction.
Since that moment, I have though about how when I said that statement, I was just like Jerusalem. I made a statement that stood out to the room. Even though I said I loved Eicha when everyone else didn't, I kept my opinion. Even though Jerusalem was destroyed, it got built back up again and still puts off that stunning attitude and atmosphere. It kept to its "opinion" and nature.
Sophie,
ReplyDeleteKudos to you because I just can't seem to find the joy in Aicha that you so clearly see. I wouldn't say that learning Kohelet was the most thrilling and exciting thing I've ever done, but compared to Aicha, Kohelet seems like the last few moments in a close Tigers game. It is interesting that when we read Aicha you see a beautiful city and I see a sad old lady who won't stop moaning. I wish I had your rose tinted glasses. Maybe as we keep learning I'll see what you're seeing..at least I hope I do because this woman is going to make me go crazy.
Sophie, I think I understand why you would say that you love Eicha. There is a good chance that more people will learn to love it, or at least like it, as we move through the sefer. Personally, Eicha is starting to grow on me because of something the guest speaker on the NCSY mini-shabbaton said. He said that Judaism puts emphasis on the process, not just the end result. For example, we say "בורא פרי הגפן" when we drink wine, thereby acknowledging the process through which the wine came to be in our cups. The same is true of the beautiful city of Jerusalem we have today. It was built up and then destroyed twice. By learning about its destruction, we are ultimately enhancing our appreciation for the city we have today. I have also found that this sefer has a lot to say about human nature, emotion, mourning, and faith. We'll have to learn more to see if more people join us on the "I love/really like Eicha" bandwagon.
ReplyDeleteWow Sophie! It's really hard sometimes to see the good in bad or sad things. But you did it! I think if Yerushalayim was able to find that good earlier she wouldn't have been crying as much.. maybe you could share your blog with her!
ReplyDeleteNow seeing the future of what happened to Yerushalayim after all the destruction, we can find the beauty to it. The fact that it was destroyed means we weren't worthy of it. Doesn't this mean that since the city itself is still here with us that we are worthy of it today? Just thinking this makes me hope for the future to see what happens. Maybe the Beit Hamikdash will be built back up!
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