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The Language of Our People: Shabbat Message by Rabbi Elana Rabishaw

Just over nine years ago, the Academy of Hebrew Language released a poll on social media. As a new modern language, there was no Hebrew word for “cupcake”, and it was time to fix that. Among the options for the public to choose from were “עוגה אישית”, or “personal cake” and “עוגונית” or “small cake”.

I remember thinking that this was one of the coolest parts about Modern Hebrew. The language was growing as rapidly as the vibrant state of Israel! This wasn’t about dessert—it was about identity, history, and the development of a language within its society. When Eliezer Ben Yehuda committed to reviving the Hebrew language, I imagine this is exactly what he had in mind.

Each year on Ben Yehuda’s birthday, the Academy of Hebrew Language celebrates National Hebrew Day. Hebrew is a living connection to our past, our people, and our values. It’s the language of the Torah, the language that connects Jews around the world, and the language that continues to evolve to meet the needs of today’s world.

This past Tuesday was National Hebrew Day. To celebrate, thousands of Israelis voted on the official word of the year. The word, “חטופים” (hatufim, hostages) won, beating out גבורה (gevurah, heroism).

The contrast between these two votes could not be more stark: A people who once celebrated Ben Yehuda and his contributions to Israeli society with a fun poll, now mark the day with the weight of 477 days defined by pain, loss, and unimaginable tragedy.

The choice of  חטופים (hatufim, hostages) reflects not only the events of October 7th but also how that day has continued to shape our collective identity in the days that have followed. It’s difficult for me to sit with this choice—to let חטופים (hatufim, hostages)  stand as the word of the year, when we as a people long so deeply for גגבורה (gevurah, heroism), to be the word that defines us.

And yet, it also feels honest. חטופים (hatufim, hostages) reflects our raw vulnerability as a people still yearning for freedom, for safety, and for the return of those who are missing.

This week’s Torah portion, Vaera, tells a different story, that is also about our same yearning for freedom. The Israelites are enslaved in Egypt, crushed under the weight of suffering. God promises liberation, declaring, “I will free you from the labors of the Egyptians and deliver you from their bondage” (Exodus 6:6). But the Israelites can’t hear it—despair has taken hold, spirits broken by the harshness of bondage. As the Torah says so powerfully: “But they would not listen to Moses, their spirits crushed by cruel bondage” (Exodus 6:9).

It’s not hard to imagine this pain. How often have we, too, felt overwhelmed by despair? When it feels like hope is out of reach, and the weight of the world leaves us unable to move, or even see a way forward. Perhaps, like the Israelites, our spirits feel crushed beyond repair.

But the Torah does not leave us there. And neither does our tradition.

Rabbi Nachman of Breslov taught, “If you believe that it is possible to destroy, believe that it is possible to repair.”

As we move into Shabbat, uncertainty weighs on us. It’s no wonder the word חטופים (hatufim, hostages) feels so present in all our minds. The pain, the loss, and the longing are impossible to ignore, and it feels that hope is nearly out of reach.

This week, in the Torah, the Israelites are trapped in their own despair. Their spirits are so crushed by their suffering, that they can’t begin to hear the promise of freedom.

But in two weeks, Nachshon shows us what it means to step forward in faith. He takes the first step into the sea, reminding us that redemption begins with faith and courage.

As we welcome Shabbat, may we find the strength to take even the smallest steps forward. May it not take weeks. Like Nachson, I pray that we find the ability to move forward, to find within ourselves the gevurah—the heroism—to believe that redemption is possible, even in the face of uncertainty, fear, and despair.

May the Hebrew word of next year represent a people filled with peace, heroism, and of course… plenty of cupcakes.

Shabbat Shalom Yoteir – May this Shabbat lead to a better week.

 

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