Entering the Jewish new year with hope, despite hypopara challenges
I pray any bitterness I encounter will be offset by sweetness
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“Your past does not decide your future.” — Anonymous proverb
Last weekend was a fruitful one in terms of hope, resilience, learning, and love. I was grateful to attend an annual conference organized by the Hypoparathyroidism Association, where I had the opportunity to hear from expert doctors, researchers, and many others who truly understand hypoparathyroidism and its disruptive impact.
The weekend fell between the Jewish holy days of Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish new year) and Yom Kippur (the holiest day on the Jewish calendar). Rosh Hashanah marks the start of the 10 Days of Awe, a period in which Jews are encouraged to reflect on their past actions and mistakes, seek forgiveness, and recommit to living a righteous life in the new year. During this time, Jews ask to be pardoned and included in the Book of Life.
It is a time marked by transition, resilience, and hope, just as the hypoparathyroidism conference was.
Hope for the new year
During Rosh Hashanah, it is custom among Jews to eat apples dipped in honey to express hope for a sweet and fruitful year, even if we’ve faced difficulties.
In my life with hypopara, joy is always accompanied by pain, but I can still find “honey” in small victories, a favorable lab report, or unexpected support from my community.
The shofar, or ram’s horn, is a significant symbol during these Jewish holidays. It is blown more than once, and the last blast — known as the tekiah gedolah in Hebrew — is a single, long note that symbolizes hope and redemption. The gift of hope is especially important to me as someone with hypoparathyroidism.
Hypopara parallels
This year’s Rosh Hashanah marked the beginning of the Hebrew year 5787. As I entered this new year, I repented of my sins, hoping to leave the instability of my hypoparathyroidism treatment behind. I pray any bitterness I encounter will be offset by sweetness.
Many people ask how the Jewish new year differs from the Western new year that’s observed on Jan. 1. Judaism uses a lunisolar calendar, which combines lunar cycles with the solar year, while the Gregorian calendar — the most widely used civil calendar — is solar, tracking only the Earth’s path around the sun.
During periods of poor health, I have to follow yet another calendar: one that takes into account the worsening of my symptoms, my treatments, and my doctor appointments. It is different from my usual social schedule.
In the theology associated with the High Holidays, the Unetaneh Tokef prayer says: “On Rosh Hashanah it is inscribed, and on Yom Kippur it is sealed … who shall live and who shall die … who [shall die] by water and who by fire.” Those of us with rare diseases know what it means to come face-to-face with death and live on the verge of the unknown.
When the Jewish new year began, I was in a calm, clear state of mind, unaffected by the troubles of the previous year. I am now full of hope and enthusiasm, as this brave butterfly has finally begun to spread her wings through Hypopara Life, the online platform I created. I will continue to draw upon past lessons, reflect on my blessings, and look for little moments of honey, even on my most difficult days.
Courageously, I fly into 5787, knowing that each time I encounter bitterness, it will be accompanied by sweetness. I am able to remain positive, hopeful, and resilient because I know anything can happen as long as I show up.
Note: Hypoparathyroidism News is a strictly news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Hypoparathyroidism News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to hypoparathyroidism.
Marcia Gordon
May you be blessed with all positive things for the New Year!
Laurie Head
Blessings in the new year, Bari!
Stacy Feldman
Shana Tovah U'Metukah. I hope this year brings new developments for monitoring and treating our condition so we may live healthy, prosperous and meaningful lives.