Pekuach Nefesh: The saving of a life

Rabbi Irwin Wiener, D.D.

Sukkot is a special holiday and at the same time mostly ignored because it follows on the heels of the High Holidays. In fact tradition teaches that Sukkot is really part of the High Holiday season. So why then is it insignificant in many circles? Perhaps because we seem to be “holidayed out,” so to speak. For several weeks we are inundated with Selichot prayers ushering in the “Days of Awe” and then the time arrives and we are left to ponder and contemplate. All of this culminates with the “Afflicting of our Souls” as prescribed in the Torah.

Somehow Sukkot, even with its rituals and trappings, such as building a Sukkah or arranging to obtain the four species of vegetation put together with the Lulav and Etrog, seems to be lost in the shadow of the agony and ecstasy of renewal and anticipation.

However, I believe, we neglect to think of one aspect of all these holidays, a common denominator, if you will: The saving of life. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur give us the ability to reconnect with God through introspection and Sukkot completes the journey by suggesting that now is the time to remember the blessings of life afforded us through the beneficence of a caring and loving God. By recalling these messages we, in all probability, will be saving the lives of ourselves, our loved ones, and even those we don’t know.

How is this accomplished? Simply stated, remembering that we are responsible to others for our actions. We are responsible to God for those things that relate to our spiritual well-being. We are responsible to ourselves to ensure that our lives will have meaning and purpose.

Sukkot reminds us of God’s protection which is given because we take the necessary action and attitude to affect happiness and completeness. It also suggests that the shelter we build is established to connote that God too attempts to shelter us from the consequences of choices we make that can hurt us and those around us through ignorance and neglect.

Our lives certainly are tenuous and fragile as is the Sukkah. Therefore we must take the time to celebrate, rejoice, and give thanks. There is, however, one more aspect that needs to be part of our thoughts and actions: Pekuach Nefesh – the saving of humanity, one person at a time.

I recently met a woman, advanced in age, but determined to live her life to the fullest and prolong it even though she is suffering from failed kidneys. She is a candidate for a transplant, but is on a very long list and probably will not survive the wait.

She needs help. She needs someone to come forward and offer her survival. She has insisted that, even though it is forbidden to purchase or sell a kidney, she is willing to make whatever arrangements are necessary to accomplish her goal: To spend her twilight years in the bosom of her family enjoying their continued growth and development.

She is not unique. There are, I am sure, many people who have maladies that require unusual attempts at life saving efforts. What does separate her is that she is not angry. She is not angry at God. She is not angry at anyone. She is accepting but hopeful. She is prayerful but realistic. She has the love of husband, children, grandchildren and friends.

I spent much time with her listening to her story. I left feeling empty and helpless. All I could offer were words, words of encouragement and words of spiritual awareness. I have encouraged some to say Psalms for her every day. She is on every Misheberach list I could find. Still I feel despondent because that is all I have to offer.

So I turn to my readers and ask if you know any way you can lend a hand. I urge you to call me or write me with whatever information you have available. I take this unusual step because of the message I have received through the High Holiday experience and significance of holiday called Sukkot.

There is something I read recently written by Rabbi Sheldon Zimmerman titled, A Prayer For Prayer. The following are excerpts from his offering:

O My God
My soul’s companion
My heart’s precious friend
I turn to you.

In your oneness, I find healing.
In the promise of Your love, I am soothed.
In Your wholeness, I too can become whole again.

Please listen to my call-
Help me find the words
Help me find the strength within
Help me shape my mouth, my voice, my heart
So that I can direct my spirit and find You in prayer
In words only my heart can speak
In songs only my soul can sing
Lifting my eyes and heart to You.

This is my prayer as we begin a New Year: A prayer for God’s guidance and understanding so that all who listen and read will find the courage to affect true Pekuach Nefesh for a woman called Barbara.