The Dead of Night

Rabbi’s Reflection on Selichot: The Dead of Night

By Rabbi Jon Hanish (9/26/24)

The Jewish mystics of 16th century Safed would rise in the dead of night in order to commune with God. They believed that darkness was key in finding one’s spiritual center. Midnight was the hour when God was most accessible for hearts searching for universal truths. Their sole goal was to have a deeper, holier connection with God. So, they would wake from their slumbers and gather under the stars. They chanted or studied or just sat silently in a world where everything was asleep except for them. Whenever I think of the mystics awaking in the middle of the night, I think of the times I’ve found myself outside, alone at night.

Some thirty years ago, I was on a camping trip with a good friend at Lake Cachuma. It was a warm night, not worth the energy of setting up a tent. We decided to sleep in our sleeping bags under the stars. I soon dozed off next to a dwindling fire. Hours later, I awoke. Why, I’m not sure. I just did. Frost coated my beard. The warm night had disappeared, replaced by an unexpected drop in temperature. A full moon shone overhead bouncing soft moonbeams off a still lake. I sat up and took in the quiet of the night, the calm of the water, and the mystical overpowering nature of all that surrounded me. I was alone yet didn’t feel lonely. I felt connected.

The 20th century philosopher Martin Buber considered these “God” moments. He defined these moments as ones where you lose yourself fully in something, connecting in ways you never thought possible. In this case, my connection was with the moon, the lake, the cold, and the forest that surrounded me. I was at one with these elements of nature. It didn’t last long. My trance was broken by the sound of a nearby animal rustling in the brush. These moments, while fleeting, are holy. You are never aware you’re having them until they’re over. But, they change you for the better because of that momentary connection.

The Saturday night prior to Rosh HaShanah, we gather as a community for Selichot services. Traditionally, this service takes place after midnight and before sunrise. It occurs at hours when the world is not awake. At Kol Tikvah, we pray in a darkened sanctuary lit only by candles and the lights of our Ark. The choir sings, and I share words of reflection and meditation. The goal is to connect to holiness – what’s holy inside each one of us – so that we can honestly evaluate the good and the bad we have done over the past year in order to improve ourselves for the better.

Are you ready to enter the High Holy Days?

If so, please join us this Saturday night (9/28/2024) for Selichot services with a 7:15 p.m. teaching by Rabbi Ron Stern, an 8:00 p.m. wine and cheese, and a 9:00 p.m. service.

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For information on Selichot from the URJ (Union for Reform Judaism), go to:

https://reformjudaism.org/jewish-holidays/rosh-hashanah/what-selichot

https://reformjudaism.org/7-things-know-about-selichot

For past Torah Talks go to: https://www.koltikvah.org/learning/torah-talk/

To make a donation: https://koltikvah.shulcloud.com/donate

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Jewish Federation of Los Angeles