Kabbalat Shabbat, September 23, 2008: "Hold it Up to the Light" by David Wilcox

The following are Cantor Frankel's thoughts on "Hold it Up to the Light":

Each of the past three weeks, the song that I have chosen has been slow and contemplative, allowing us to look at the difficult questions we must ask ourselves over these upcoming High Holidays. The selection for this final week of Elul, our final Shabbat before Rosh HaShanah, is decidedly more upbeat and more hopeful. 

David Wilcox’s song, Hold it Up to the Light, is about feeling empowered to make a choice, to change course, to plow ahead despite fears and doubts. We are all able to turn each decision we make over and over, to examine it from every angle, to consider each possible outcome. But the point comes in each of our lives, and that point is fast approaching as the Book of Life soon opens, to stop deliberating and to decide. When we make the choice to change our ways, there is great relief and there is great joy, and that is reflected in this song. 

A story is told by Joel Ziff in his book Mirrors in Time, A Psycho-Spiritual Journey through the Jewish Year, and Rabbi London began our Elul preparation with this story four weeks ago:  

Late one night, in the city of Chelm, known to be populated by fools, Shmuel happened upon his friend Avrum. Avrum was down on his hands and knees, underneath the street light, searching for something. Shmuel inquired as to what Avrum was doing. “I’ve lost my keys,” he replied. “Perhaps you’ll help me search.” Shmuel joined him. After half an hour, they had still had no success. “Avrum, where exactly did you lose the keys? Maybe we can concentrate our efforts.” Avrum replied, “I lost them in that alley over there.” Shmuel was dumbfounded, “So why are we looking here?” Avrum looked over at his friend, “Why are we looking here? Because the light is better here, that’s why!” 

As David Wilcox says in this song, it’s time to “hold it up to the light,” to uncover the darkest parts of our souls, and with hope and faith let the light in. Once we do, we will be able to make the choice to change course. And then we will rejoice. 

Shanah Tovah U’m’tukah, my very sincerest wishes for a Happy and Sweet New Year.

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