Prologue: Text Study Time

In this post I’m going to introduce my blog and the backstory behind the name, which I take from my roots in Judaism.

“Kol ha-olam kulo gesher tsar me’od; ve’ha-ikar lo l’fached k’lal” – “The whole world is a very narrow bridge; the important thing is to not be afraid at all.”

Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav

This quote is something I’ve thought about a lot lately. We used to sing this song at the Jewish sleep-away camp I went to as a kid, but I don’t think I knew the meaning behind it at the time. It wasn’t until more recently that I learned the English translation for the quote. When I imagine said bridge, I see something like this:

My interpretation of the text is we have to accept we are constantly faced with uncertainty and we have to learn to accept it. The thought of constant uncertainty is an anxiety inducing thought, no? Also, I have no clue how you can go through life without having any fear at all. Imagine crossing that rope bridge and having no fear, zipping straight across. I imagine some Indiana Jones-style scenario where one of the wooden planks snaps off and you’re found dangling from the underside of the bridge, staring down at the extremely high drop to your untimely demise. Of course that’s my anxiety speaking and some fear can be helpful to navigate the uncertain waters of life. Unsatisfied with my own interpretation of Rabbi Nachman’s text, I sought out the wisdom of those more equipped to digest classical Jewish texts. I came across an article from Rabbi Daniel Pressman of Congregation Beth David, who touched on an alternate interpretation of the text in his article “Crossing the Narrow Bridge.” In the article, he too argues that having ‘no fear at all’ is a bit excessive, especially in a situation where one would cross a very dangerous narrow bridge. After doing some research of his own he discovers Rabbi Nachman actually said something a bit different. The Rabbi wrote the following:

“K’she-adam tzarich la-avor gesher tsar me’od, ha-k’lal v’ha-ikar shelo yit-paheid k’lal.” – “When a person must cross an exceedingly narrow bridge, the general principle and the essential thing is to not frighten yourself at all.”

Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav (via Rabbi Daniel Pressman)

Now that is quite a difference, for two reasons. Reason one, Rabbi Nachman is alluding to the idea that this applies only when one MUST cross this exceedingly narrow bridge, as opposed to the whole world being a narrow bridge. There is an important distinction between being permanently stuck and temporarily crossing said bridge. I think it’s important to acknowledge that there are times in life we must face a situation we are not entirely prepared for and that’s okay. (I’ll get into this in one of my next posts, entitled In Omnia Paratus) Sometimes life comes to you easily, other times not so much, particularly as of late for me. Reason two is the idea that we must not frighten ourselves or, as Rabbi Pressman puts it, “…you’ll never get across if you surrender to fears of your own making.” Rabbi Pressman says that Rabbi Nachman’s intentions were clear in using the imagery of a narrow bridge instead of a comforting place like a grassy hill or, I don’t know, your couch. Rabbi Pressman’s article continues with connecting the narrow bridge to the Jewish High Holidays, which is where our stories diverge.

I, for one, have arrived at a very narrow bridge and the universe has made it clear I have no option but to cross it. I cannot stand before it and wait forever to not cross, I cannot go under, above, or around to bypass it, I must take the route that is straight across. The last year of my life has brought me to confront many of my greatest fears that lie at the bottom of the chasm that is my life. I must acknowledge their presence, thank them for the lessons they’ve taught me, and proceed with my journey.

Welcome to Crossing the Bridge: My Journey Through the Unknown, where I will attempt to narrate the process by which I traverse the uneasiness that has become my life. I still have much to learn and I imagine if you’re reading this, then so do you, but here’s the thing: we’re all in this together. I leave you for now with a Hebrew quote of my own. Native Hebrew speakers – forgive me for this grammatically imperfect sentence.

“L’avor b’yachad ha-gesher tsar me’od, v’ein lanu fached k’lal” – “Cross the very narrow bridge together and we will have no fear at all.”

Rabbi David Pressman’s article: https://www.beth-david.org/crossing-the-narrow-bridge-erev-rosh-hashanah-rabbi-pressman/

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