| Today is a Shecheyanu Shabbat. The Shecheyanu is the one line bracha (blessing) we say when something new happens, or at a celebratory moment, like a birthday or anniversary. In my family, whenever we get a present, or a new item of clothing, we say the bracha.
Much has been made of the new clothes we saw at the inauguration, including Bernie Sanders’ new mittens.
This Shabbat we say Shecheheyanu for more than just new clothes, of course. We have new leadership, a new Black/Indian woman Vice President and new vaccines.
In our Parasha, Bo, this week, we also have a few firsts- the first commandment is given to the Israelites--to eat the first seder meal of roast lamb. We celebrate the end of Pharoahs’ rule in Egypt this week. We mark the end of fear, heartache, oppression and suffering caused by greed and self-interest.
The roll out of the vaccine will also hopefully bring freedom from fear and suffering.
Some of you in the past few weeks have gotten your first vaccine, so are on your way to better health, and spreading immunity to our society. You too deserve a shehecheyanu--thank you God for keeping us alive, sustaining us and bringing us to this time. We could all say this bracha for all the events in our country this week.
Below is a newly written Shehecheyanu by Heather Paul. It is designed to be said when you get your first vaccine. I have adapted it slightly to reflect how this blessing can help us celebrate all our firsts this Shabbat.
Holy One of Blessing, I say the shehekheyanu prayer for all the big and little “firsts”:
The first day of a new 100 days, the first woman of colour Vice-President, the renewal of hope for our health, our planet, and our society;
the first day of school, the first meal in a new home, the first time seeing a friend after months have passed, the first night of a holiday
Every “first time” is a time to celebrate the miracle of life.
But as I receive the COVID-19 vaccine, it feels like the first time I’ve ever said these familiar words
A shehekheyanu of shehekheyanus
a first that leads to other firsts, the first warm hug from a good friend, the first coffee shop conversation,
the first in-person prayer service
the first standing ovation after the first live performance
the first time my hands touch the hands of another
I receive this first, this vaccine, in memory of those who died from this disease,
the ones who no longer have firsts to celebrate and in honor of those who worked while I quarantined:
essential workers, medical professionals, those who risked their lives to protect mine.
With gratitude to them, and to You, for my survival in this time of death,
I promise to protect others, and to bless the miracle of every breath.
God, please help me remember to never take another first for granted.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְמַן הַזֶּה:
Baruch ata adonai, eloheinu melech ha’olam, she’hecheyanu v’kiyemanu v’higiyanu lazman hazeh.
Blessed are You, Source of Life, Breath of the Universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.
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