The Meaning of Hurricanes

Here are my feelings on the matter.

First, gratitude and joy that we haven’t had a direct and devastating hit so far!

Second, sadness and some survivor guilt because some other community(ies) got hit.

Third, the realization that hurricanes and other natural disasters are only disasters if human beings live in their path.

Think about it. Hurricanes have probably been battering our fair peninsula for thousands of years. But until human beings lived here, no one assigned a “good/bad” label to them.

And of course, the “good/bad” is only OUR anthropomorphizing of what is a morally neutral weather phenomenon.

So nu, Rabbi? What is the meaning of hurricanes?

Answer: There is no intrinsic meaning to be found in any natural disaster that we can know.

Perhaps there is some intrinsic meaning that the Holy One might provide, but I sure don’t have access to it.

Nor do I know of any human who does.

Which leaves us with extrinsic meaning — i.e., what meaning do you and I want to give to the hurricane?

Wait — why should I give any meaning to the hurricane at all?

Ach— so Jewish! I answered my own question with another question!

In general, human beings have a fundamental and powerful desire to find meaning in whatever happens to them in life, especially the “bad” stuff.

As a rabbi, I have often been challenged by people to answer the question “why…”

Why did my mother or father die so young?

Why is my child so difficult?

Why is there so much evil in the world?

Sometimes the “why” question is really just a cry of pain that isn’t interested in a theological treatise in response.

And sometimes the “why” is truly a philosophical question attempting to make sense of the pain of life.

Figuring out which is which, well that’s just one of the tricky parts of being a rabbi or any member of the clergy.

Ultimately, we will give meaning to events in our lives, whether we intend to or not.

That’s why there are so many therapists – they are helping us untangle both the intended and unintended meanings we have created for ourselves.

Coincidentally (are there coincidences???) this week’s parsha, Nitzavim-Vayelech, is about making choices and finding meaning.

The Holy One sets choices in front of us and challenges us to choose our response in a way that creates more love, greater good, and a better life.

As Jews and as those who revere the Hebrew Bible and its teachings, the soil we’ve been given is this beautiful, profound path of wisdom.

It’s been handed down to us from generation to generation and we have to choose it for ourselves.

As I already noted, if we are going to make meaning out of our lives anyway, perhaps we should consider choosing to make meaning more intentionally.

What would that look like?

Take something trivial — you are stuck in a line at Publix.

Brain choice A: Can you believe the nerve of that stupid person at checkout not having things prepared? S/he is wasting my precious time. I am going to be late to my very important next thing. I AM SO ANGRY! Why do I always get in the slow line? Etc… etc… etc…

(Just writing this is making my blood pressure rise)

Brain choice B: Darn. I got the slow line. Hmm, it looks like it will take the same amount of time if I jump over to the other lines. And I really need this thing now soooo… Sigh, I guess I’m in this line.

(Equanimity descends because I have assessed the situation, analyzed my options, decided to take a particular path rather than allowing myself to feel victimized by the situation.)

Now what to do?

I can read a magazine.

I can chat up and meet other people in the line.

I can do my Kegel exercises.

It’s totally YOUR choice how to deal with the reality you’ve been given after you assess how much control you have to change the situation.

Back to hurricanes and other “bad” things…

As Rosh Hashanah approaches, how will you choose to process the “good/bad” you are going to be given this upcoming 5785?

We would love for you to write back and share with us!

Shabbat Shalom