Anxiety

Anxiety is defined as “a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.”  Anxiety does not have to be excessive nor involve panic attacks in order to be defined as such.

I’m going to guess that for everyone sitting here, anxiety is a well-known feeling.  Some of us experience anxiety when we listen to the news or read a newspaper telling about national or world events.  Some of us experience anxiety when we think about the ways the world has changed from the times we remember in the past. Some of us experience anxiety when facing new challenges in our own personal lives, be they health issues or financial issues.

No matter what causes us to feel anxious, we have a tendency to interpret the feeling as negative.  Yet, what I’m going to say may come as a surprise to many.  Judaism encourages a type of anxiety that is actually considered productive anxiety.   Take a look at the Machzor.  In the piyyut, Unetaneh Tokef it states, “Who shall live and who shall die….who by fire and who by water….”  Wow!  That isn’t exactly a calming thought.  Yet the lines that follow are meant to remind us of the real purpose of producing such a feeling of anxiety….It is because we are to perform acts of tzedakah, prayer, and teshuvah in our attempt to live a life that avoids the negative feelings elicited by the inevitability of recognizing our own mortality.

When we live with a sense of tension, we are more likely to work to correct the ills that we see in our own lives and in society.  When we are too comfortable and too passive about what is happening in the world around us, we are less likely to react to correct the ills. One such ill that has created a sense of anxiety in many of us is the increase in acts of anti-Semitism world-wide. This week a special report called, “Combatting Antisemitism to Eliminate Discrimination and Intolerance Based on Religion or Belief,” was released by the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Ahmed Shaheed. It defined anti-Semitism as a global phenomenon—not one largely confined to the United States and Europe—as has been the case in many previous U.N. reports. The Special Rapporteur recognized that the sources of anti-Semitism are varied, coming from the far right, from members of radical Islamist groups and from the political left. Of course, our familiarity with anti-Semitism stems from our own experience here in the U.S. One cannot walk into a synagogue here in the United States anymore without wondering what kind of security system is in place.  One cannot find an unmarked package at the back door of a synagogue and take for granted that it is okay to move it into the building without calling 911 to report it and have it checked out. The list goes on and on.  The acts of violence we witnessed this year in Pittsburg and in San Diego create a sense of anxiety indeed.  Yet, the question to be answered is, what can we do to stop these forms of violence.  Yes we can create reinforced buildings, but how do we stop the hatred that has risen up from the sewers and is finding a place in America unlike any we’ve seen in decades?

Another source of anxiety comes from watching our country walk backwards in race relations.  It is most disconcerting for those of us who grew up at a time when civil rights marches were taking place all over the country to see the divisions rising again.  We who were among those whose children were taught and benefited from the idea that all human beings are created equal find it hard to comprehend that individuals are still voicing opposition to this “given”.  Yes, we can continue to model our best vision for America, but how do we make all individuals feel safe?  How do we ensure a criminal justice system that is indeed color-blind?

Watching news reports about children being separated from their parents and being put into holding areas at our southern border gives rise to anxiety. The imagery of this happening today reminds me that we have managed to devise a cruelty that will have a lasting traumatic impact on the development of these young children. 

These are not the only scenarios which cause anxiety these days.  Witnessing or hearing about the increasing rise in teen suicides, and of violence and discrimination against non-binary gender and transgender people also brings a sense of uncomfortable tension.

So, it is easy to declare the parts of our daily existence which give rise to anxiety, but the big question is what can we do to alleviate its root causes.  The purpose of anxiety in Judaism (and no I am not speaking about anxiety disorders), is to lead us to action.  Without feeling uncomfortable, without feeling a sense of discontentment, we might remain passive about situations we see in our midst.  If we look at the Torah, for an example of how to respond to worry, we would note that the best response is to make plans and work toward a better future.

Much can be done to fight antisemitism, racism, and sexism by actively making sure that our educational systems address these topics with young people.  In addition, it is important to make sure that the laws which are in effect for hate crimes are enforced and groups needing protection are provided that protection.

When our government pursues policies which we feel are unethical, we need to speak up and tell our elected representatives that we want the policies to end. We can march, volunteer at organizations that are attempting to protect the vulnerable in our society, and provide financial support for such organizations as well.  Voting is another means of having one’s voice be heard.  As some of us were discussing on Shabbat, you need to know what you stand for, figure out your purpose in life, and stand up and be counted when there are injustices being committed by others.

And finally, when anxiety seems to be rising, it is important to have faith.  It is our faith that teaches us we can change the world.  It is our faith that reminds us that even in difficult times we have much for which to be thankful. Life’s challenges are not meant to leave us feeling depleted, just provide us with tasks that must be tackled.  Remember, the famous statement in Pirkei Avot: Lo Alecha Hamlacha Ligmor,  V'lo ata ben chorim l'hibatil mimena,  It is not incumbent upon you to complete the task, but neither are you free to desist from it.

Shanah Tovah. May we begin to see our anxiety as a reminder that we have work to do in this world.  Let us not see our anxiety even as uncomfortable as it is, as a source of paralysis.