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Chaplain's Corner

A prescription of two ancient traditions

BY RABBI BARRY COHEN
When I moved to Portland about four and a half
years ago, I was warned about “seasonal affec- Rabbi Barry
tive disorder.” A number of people recommend- Cohen is the
Published biweekly by ed I purchase a light therapy lamp. I nodded and Jewish commu-
Jewish Federation of thanked them for their advice. But I was think- nity chaplain
of the Greater
Greater Portland ing, “What in the world are you talking about? Portland area.
9900 SW Greenburg Road, Seasonal disorders? Therapy lamps? Really?” chaplain@
I am beginning to realize there was some mer-
Suite 220 it to that advice. Just look at this year. We went jewishportland.org
Tigard, OR 97223 to bed one day when skies were blue and tem-
503-245-6219 peratures were in the 70s. The next day, the sun
JewishPortland.org disappeared, and the temperature dropped 20 During these dark, dreary, cold and rainy days,
degrees. Ever since then, it has been chilly, rainy
facebook.com/JewishPDX and dreary. Talk about weather whiplash. we can take these lessons to heart. We can en-
instagram.com/ While I have yet to experience seasonal affec- gage in bikkur cholim, whether literally or virtu-
jewishfederationpdx/ tive disorder, I can imagine what it must feel like. ally. The cholim come in a variety of forms. We
The stresses and strains related to local, national can be sick with a virus; we can be recuperating
and international politics have only made me feel from surgery; we can feel lonely or isolated; we
Editor worse. And we all know that Covid (and the flu) can be anxious or depressed; or we may just be
Deborah Moon remain an ever-present possibility. feelings “the blahs.”
Too often in the past weeks, I have felt unset-
A phone call, facetime or a personal visit can
editor@jewishportland.org tled, anxious, nervous and afraid. Luckily, these make all the difference. We can bring with us a
emotions do not linger. For the most part, I feel home-cooked meal, a coffee from Dutch Bros or
Circulation positive emotions. But every once in a while, I feel just ourselves.
We can also engage in chachnasat orchim by
To receive the Jewish as though I am tumbling down the rabbit’s hole. opening our doors to others. So many of us are
Fortunately, we can turn to a number of resourc-
Review in your email inbox, es to navigate these trying emotional times. We longing for some kind of human connection –
fill out the form at find one source of wisdom in this week’s Torah three-dimensional, in person. Granted, many of
jewishportland.org/subscribe portion, Vayeira, starting with Genesis 18:1. This us must remain vigilant for a number of reasons.
portion begins in the days after Abraham cir- Covid has not disappeared. Our immune systems
OPINIONS printed in the cumcised not only his sons, but himself. He was may be weakened because of chronic illness or
Jewish Review do not recuperating in the shade of his tent. The portion medications. I am not recommending that any-
necessarily reflect those begins in a confusing way. At first, we read that one put themselves in harm’s way. For those of
of the Jewish Review, the Eternal appears to Abraham. Then we read us who are healthy and fully vaccinated, we can
push beyond our comfort zones. We can invite
the Jewish Federation that Abraham looks up and sees three men stand- friends and family into our homes, or we can meet
ing by him.
of Greater Portland, its One way of interpreting this curious beginning at a favorite restaurant or coffee bar. By sharing
governing board or the staffs is that God was visiting Abraham in the form a dessert, coffee or a meal, we can strengthen the
of either the newspaper or of three men … messengers … melachim. Why bonds of relationships that have been weakened
the Federation. were these messengers there? To engage in bik- by realities beyond our control.
kur cholim, visiting the sick. They were there to Through the simple acts of bikkur cholim and
accompany Abraham in his healing. chachnasat orchim, we can be melachim and
But Abraham responds in an unexpected way. strengthen relationships. By fostering human
Submit photos, news Despite his weakened state, he enthusiastically connections, we can heal our body, spirits and
and obituaries to welcomes them. He invites them to wash their souls. And we may not only lessen the symptoms
editor@jewishportland.org feet, drink and eat. In this way, Abraham is model- of seasonal affective disorder, but avoid it alto-
ing the value of chachnasat orchim, or hospitality. gether.

JEWISH REVIEW 2022 ISSUES

ISSUE DATE DEADLINE HOLIDAYS
Nov. 23 Nov. 17 Thanksgiving Nov. 24

Dec. 7 Dec. 1
Dec. 21 Dec. 15 Chanukah Dec. 18-26

12 Jewish Review Nov. 9, 2022