Capture the Energy, Use it for Good

I spent the year of 1992 in Israel as a first-year rabbinical student.  It was an election year here in the United States. I remember waking up in the wee-hours of the morning and listening to the election results come in from Bill Clinton. 

It was also an election year in Israel. (Isn’t every year an election year in Israel?) The 1992 election was unique, though.  It marked the founding of the Meretz party, a left-of-center merger of three pro-peace parties that supported a two-state solution. Meretz filled the country with optimism and energy, especially among people.  Wherever you went, teens and young adults held impromptu rallies—happy gatherings, full of laughter and hope.  Do matter your political leaning, it was difficult not to be pulled into the enthusiasm.

The name Meretz מֶרֶץ was both an acronym for two of the parties that merged (Mapam and Ratz) and also a play on words.  Meretz is one of the words for energy in Hebrew; it literally means vigor, and drive.  The vitality of the Meretz’s optimism has long ago been dulled and sullied.  While the party itself merged with the Labor party just this past June, it ceased being a powerhouse over a decade ago.  And, yet, for an unfortunately short period of time, Meretz radiated energy that, in turn, energized the populace.

This week, as I watched this week’s political convention, I was reminded of the Meretz מֶרֶץ party in its early days.  No matter your political leanings, it was impossible to miss the energy emanating from Chicago.  And that type of optimism—the belief that we can still make a difference regardless of whether for progressive or conservative values— is precious.

According to Kabbalistic (mystic) lore, at the time of creation, there were vessels filled with light and energy.  But containing such energy was not possible.  The fragile vessels shattered and their light and energy spilled into the world, dissipating and losing strength.  The Kabbalists coined the term “Tikkun Olam” or “healing the word” to mean regathering the energy and utilizing it for good.  This week, some of that energy was captured.  May it be directed toward optimism and civility and may it continue to grow.