Rav-Elations!: Is it OK?

By RABBI DAVID GERBER

It’s ok to be angry.

It’s ok to be sad. 

It’s ok to be stressed, uneasy, or disgusted. 

It’s ok to distract yourself with stress baking, fast food, or reality TV. 

It’s ok to be glued to the news stations. 

It’s ok to turn them off in disgust. 

It’s ok to block friends on social media.

It’s ok to accept support from people you don’t like. 

It’s ok to never forgive Hamas; like the wicked Amalek, Haman, and Hitler.

It’s ok to mourn for the suffering of the innocent in Israel and Gaza; both are victims of the same evil.  

It’s ok to come to synagogue to pray, talk, or learn. 

It’s ok to stay home and support from afar. 

It’s ok to rejoice in the gift of Shabbat. 

It’s ok to dance the hora at our daughters’ weddings. 

It’s ok to find joy in spite of the evil in the world. 

It’s ok to question God. 

It’s ok to be angry with the Creator of the world we live in. 

It’s ok to be ok,

It’s ok to not be ok. 

Just be present. Be part of a Jewish community. And through our strength, determination, and support, Am Yisrael Chai. The people of Israel shall live. 

Rabbi David Gerber is the senior rabbi of the URJ’s Congregation Gates of Prayer (Sha’arai Tefillah) in Metairie.