Blessing for LGBTQ Seniors

by Hartley Mark

“ was 80 years old and was 83, when they made their demand of , to let the Israelite People depart from in freedom” (Exodus).

Why did the believe it necessary, amid the drama of two Jewish prophets confronting a cruel pagan king, to mention their ages?

According to Rabbi ibn , the Medieval Biblical commentator, “Nowhere else in the TaNaKH does the text mention the ages of any prophets. These elderly people, Moses and Aaron, will go on to see the (Presence) of , and to receive the Torah from Him. Through their prophecy, all the righteous will inherit the Kingdom of God, forever. As for the other, lesser prophets, they either berate the people, or speak of something which will happen only in the future.”

Moses was himself the chief of the prophets, both of those who preceded and those who followed him. And Aaron the Kohen Gadol (High ) laid down the earliest model of Jewish worship, many elements of which we still practice today.

Unlike so many modern elements of life, which emphasize youth, Moses and Aaron were proud to be old, and to yet lead their people. To be an octogenarian is to have a lifetime of experiences and wisdom to draw upon. They are able to face the future with equanimity, together with their family and friends.

And so, we bless our seniors, who have been young for a very long time.

Dear God, we bless our LGBTQ seniors in the name of Abraham and , and , , , and . As Moses led the people according to Torah and Aaron did the same through ritual, so do we ask You to lead us through life. Please God, support us spiritually in our old age. Help us become a shining example of patience, compassion, and equanimity to our family and friends. And God, when we face challenges of any kind, be Thou with us.

Y’sim-chay-noo k’Avot v’ha-Eemahote, vee-shalach lanu marbeh b’reeut v’shalom.

Make us like the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, like Moses and Zipporah, Aaron and Tsilyah, and Ben-Keshet. Send us health and peace, and let us say, Amen.