Darkness is not my old friend

While Paul Simon might never have intended to cast darkness as “my old friend” in a positive light,
everyone who sings the song feels darkness as an enveloping hug. Jesse Colin Young’s song
“Darkness, Darkness” conveys a sense of tranquility and comfort:
            Darkness, darkness, be my pillow
            Take my head and let me sleep
            In the coolness of your shadow
            In the silence of your deep…
 
Jewish Tradition sees very clearly that darkness is not my old friend, for it is neither calm nor cool.
The second verse of the entire Hebrew Bible poetically equates darkness and chaos: “The earth was
filled with chaos and void as darkness hovered over earth’s primordial deep...”

I see the world today as being plunged into chaotic darkness. From my personal perspective, we are
now living in the deep shadow of prioritizing policy over people, of vilifying inclusivity, of
disregarding science for sake of political power, of justifying injustice and insensitivity in the Name of
God.

Darkness, the 9th plague in the Passover story, is the original “black” plague. According to the Torah
and classical commentaries, the darkness was so thick it could be felt, casting a partition between
one person and the next. There was no concern for anyone but the self; it was intimidating,
immobilizing, and isolating.

Ironically, the Torah tells us that while the Egyptians were alone in darkness, the Hebrews enjoyed
light in their community. Admittedly in anachronistic images, we might say that – despite their
oppressed life – the community of Hebrews thrived. They continued to share celebrations of life,
they comforted mourners, they came together in support of each other. The message is clear: a
connected community is – and has always been – the prerequisite for filling the earth with light and
shared de-light.

God’s first command in the Torah is really meant for us: “Let there be light.” Just as God pushed
back the chaotic darkness of Genesis with light, so are we charged to create light to drive back the
shadows of darkness. In every age of history, we are called upon to counter the chaos and the

darkness of fear in the world by generating the light of hope, optimism, insight, and open
mindedness. We are charged (pun intended) to fulfill light-generating mitzvot even in the darkest,
most chaotic times, even when sometimes we want to turn out the light and sit in the darkness
alone. 

The Talmudic Sages tell us to do what we can to counter the plague of darkness: Turn on the
spiritual light by speaking up, by reaching out, and by stepping forward hand-in-hand towards the
vision of hope for a brighter future.

May a new light shine upon Zion’s symbol of bright hope,
And may we enjoy its light together.

Amen, and Shabbat Shalom!

Rabbi Rick