More, More, More

By Rabbi Elyse Winick
KOACH Assistant Director
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism

The theme of hope in this issue gave rise for me to some serious thought about, of all things, the word עוד (‘od). I suppose it’s not really all that strange – it appears twice in Hatikvah, Israel’s national anthem (see Chaya Oliver’s article), a song of only 23 words to begin with. Let’s examine it a little further.

Reuben Alcalay, in the classic dictionary known by his name, defines עוד as "more, additional, another, further, again, once more, longer, yet, still, any more." "Pshita!" the talmudists among you claim ("Obviously!"). The root עד refers to "testimony" (as a verb) or "eternity" (as a noun). Double up on the dalet (עודד) and you get "encourage." I think we’re getting somewhere. And we can find it in the great cultural treasurehouse of song.

From Hatikvah: Kol ‘od balevav p’nima, nefesh yehudi homiya….’Od lo avdah tikvateinu…

As long as deep in the heart the Jewish soul is yearning…Still our hope is not lost

From Lu Y’hi: ‘Od mifras lavan ba-ofek mul anan shahor kaved, kol sh’nevakesh, lu y’hi.

Still the white sail in the distance facing black and heavy cloud, all that we can ask, let it be

From ‘Od Yavo Shalom Aleinu: ‘Od yavo shalom aleinu, od yavo shalom aleinu, od yavo shalom aleinu, v’al kulam.

May there yet be peace, for us and for everyone

I’m sensing a theme here. עוד expresses a sense of anticipation, a sense that something which has not yet happened can actually happen. A sense of potential. A sense that dreams can still come true. It is a testimony to our confident, positive attitude. It represents something enduring and everlasting. It is a source of strength and encouragement.

So it makes a great deal of sense that עוד and hope are often paired together. Our hope for what is yet to come and our dreams as yet unfulfilled share the qualities which עוד represents. It is tantalizing and sometimes frustrating, but hope is mostly uplifting. Our dreams transform us, even as we strive for their fulfillment. I can’t think of any better way to start the year.

May all your dreams find fulfillment in the year to come – and may you dream yet more.

[Posted 9/25/03]