We’re going with an emojis to illustrate the concept of reaction and response, and you know how we crave and cherish a response, even a gesture as simple as a like – but the truth is it cuts a lot deeper than emojis on social-media.
Sometimes it’s the reaction or lack thereof that can make an even bigger impact (in some ways) than the action itself. Take October 7th vs. October 8th. The former was was more gruesome and barbaric with greater loss of life, but the latter was deeply disappointing to see many seemingly ordinary people in the Western World you thought of allies and friends either stay silent or turn against you in their reaction.
Or think how meaningful it was to get a warm, understanding, supportive response, either in public or private. Those gestures and statements went a long way.
On the High Holidays our prayer services are filled with Chazzan/Cantor and Cong/Congregation. Many of the Machzor’s liturgical prayer formats and poems are filled with congregational responses to the cantor. Think of these responses, all the Amens, all the words in response, as our reactions. Are they meek or muted, or are they bold and affirming?
Is the response as strong as you expected and desired it to be?
—
Often the action itself is out of our control, but the type of reaction and response is up to us and is a decision we make.
Beyond the Call & Response of the Cantor/Cong in the Machzor, think of this in terms of our reactions and responses in our daily lives. Not only on the high holidays but year-round. How to we respond? Sometimes the ideal response is weaker than we’d naturally go with, to do less, to say less, to be less upset. And sometimes the ideal asks and expects more of us, to be louder, bolder, more active.
Whether we respond or not, and how we go about it – is all up to us. And the response or lack thereof – can make all the difference!
—