I am My Generation’s and My Generation is Mine

This coming Sunday, when we commemorate the 15th anniversary of 9/11, will be the 8th day of the Hebrew month of Elul.

Elul is the month that immediately precedes Tishrei and the Jewish holidays. It is a time period for reflection, for introspection and for preparation for the Chagim and the year ahead.

In rabbinic thought, Elul is also an acronym that represents the relationship between God and the Jewish people. Written as אלול in Hebrew, it is understood to stand for the idea -

אני לדודי ודודי לו - I am my beloved’s and my beloved in mine. It is a word that represents the bond between God and the Jewish people, who were united first during the exodus from Egypt and then, more formally, during their union at Mount Sinai. It is an acronym that suggests a deep connection and a deep love for one another and a union that is everlasting.

In marking the 15th anniversary of 9/11, we are well aware that it was a day which began with disgust, with hatred and with evil. The events of the day took the lives of so many innocent people and changed our world, and the world of our children, forever.

Yet, for those of us who remember, there were many moments of coming together in the face of the horror of 9/11; coming together as individuals, as communities, as Americans. There were many moments of love, and of unity and of strength. There were stories of sacrifice, of selflessness and compassion, coupled with a strong desire to help and protect one’s neighbor.

In this month of אלול, coinciding with 9/11, I suggest we also consider the acronym to mean:  

אני לדורי ודורי לי - I am my generation’s and my generation is mine. There is a bond that was built among Americans as a result of 9/11. It was a bond that was formed as a result of hatred, but on account of it brought people together to defend, to protect and to support one another.

How can we learn from the horrors of those days?

We can look to the care that was shown to the bereaved, to the energy that was given to find survivors in the wreckage, to the many faith communities who came together in the aftermath to attempt to build a path forward together, to the respect that was given to our Policemen, Firefighters and Servicemen and women. We can remember how a generation of people came together to try to do good in the face of so much pain, loss and utter disbelief.

We are much stronger together than as individuals.

. אני לדורי ודורי לי - I am my generation’s and my generation is mine

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Lesack