I recently read an article published on Religious News Service that reflected on the happiness score of Israel in comparison the other nations. Israel is 5th on the International Scale for Happiness and with only the Nordic countries scoring higher. When we consider the continual threat that hovers over Israel from Iran, Syria, Hamas and other Islamic extremist, you could easily assume that the residents of Israel would be anxious and constantly on guard. Living daily with threats of war has traditionally led from a healthy emotional state to one that deteriorates from constant stress.
A new book by Dan Senor and Saul Singer, “The Genius of Israel: The Surprising Resilience of a Divided Nation in a Turbulent World,” examines the emotional resilience of the people of Israel in comparison to a phenomena known as “deaths of despair.” “Death of despair” refers to deaths resulting from “suicide, addictions and other health issues that come from emotional turmoil.” The book asks why Israel has the lowest rate of “deaths of despair” among other wealthy countries.
According to Senor and Singer, “it is all about connection, belonging and meaning. Israelis feel connected to one another. They feel they are part of a national project. This gives their lives meaning, and it creates a larger sense of family connections as they share the weekly Shabbat meal. Connection and community produces an individual joy and national joy.
Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin, author of the article, observed on trips to Israel that people gather in community to pray for resolution to conflict, the return of the hostages and any other national event affecting the well-being of people. They believe these gatherings are a way of promoting and spreading ‘chesed’ — loving kindness. Prayers and discussions of concern turn into a choir as traditional folk music is sang by all the participants. As the songs continue, emotional stress turns to internal peace and joy.
We sing in church and we sing in bars but why are we so self-conscious and timid about gathering in groups at spaces of violence and destruction or times of stress? Most of us have heard quotes about the importance and life changing effects of music but do we yield to its healing and communal properties? Do we allow it to bring ‘hope’ alive in us? I hope you will ponder on these quotes and how music can strengthen our emotional state, church community and our neighborhood communities.
“Music can change the world because it can change people.” (Bono is an Irish singer-songwriter and activist.)
“Music has charms to sooth a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.” (William Congreve was an English dramatist of the late 1600s)
“Music is very spiritual, it has the power to bring people together.
Edgar Holland Winter is musician and songwriter who performed in the 1970s.
“Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” (Berthold Auerbach was a 19th century German poet.)
“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.” (Plato was an ancient Greek philosopher of the 5th century BCE.)
*** Salkin, Jeffrey. (2024). “Why are Israelis so happy?. Religious News Service. https://religionnews.com/category/opinion/columns/jeffrey-salkin/
Blessings, Rev Gloria
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