The Days of Awe have drawn to a close. We have sought to make peace with ourselves, with others, and with God. We have promised changes, and new beginnings. Once again, we have been given a "do-over."
Following the seven days of Sukkot, we come to the happy holiday of Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah.
This Friday, we will celebrate Simchat Torah as we complete, then immediately begin the annual Torah reading cycle.
It has been a unique year. Simchat Torah is known as a new beginning. I know my daily questions to myself have been, "Is there an end in sight to the pandemic? When will our lives get back to normal?" Simchat Torah is providing me with a new outlook, a new beginning. It is offering me a different way to look forward to this year and a reminder not to dwell on the difficult times we have been experiencing.
The weekly parashot – the words and stories they contain – are identical, year in and year out. It is we who change. The symbolic illustration for such change is found in the last and first letters of the Torah. The last word in Deuteronomy is Yisrael; the first in Genesis is B'reishit. The last Hebrew letter, lamed, joins with the first letter bet to spell the word lev, Hebrew for "heart."
While intellectually challenging, Torah study may not always provide specific guidance on dealing with our everyday challenges. More than likely, however, it touches the heart. We are engaged both emotionally and spiritually each time we study. The Hebrew word lev closes the circle of Torah readings on Simchat Torah and is the heart that draws us closer and guides us. Each time we read a Torah portion, we understand it differently, shaped by our experiences in the past year. Re-reading a book later in life that was assigned in high school provokes an entirely new response, shaped not by the words on the page but by our hearts' accumulated experiences.
There are times we all wish for a "do-over" – a troublesome thought, a misspoken word, an errant deed. The High Holy Days offered us a chance to improve, but in our hearts, we know we will be back, asking yet again for forgiveness. The yearly cycle of Torah study is Judaism's clever reminder to re-read the instruction book.
At this new beginning, I will be looking more inwardly from my heart and enjoying the good in my life!
Please join us for a special Simchat Torah concert with Alan Goodis, on Friday, October 9 at 6:00 PM. Alan Goodis is a national touring Jewish musician playing over 150 events a year. He was born and raised in Toronto. Noted for his dedication to building relationships and community through music, Alan travels throughout North America to serve as an Artist-In-Residence and performer at Temples, Hillels, Youth Conventions, and Jewish summer camps. His self-titled debut CD, produced by, and performed with, Dan Nichols (e18hteen) and Mark Niemiec (Grammy-nominee), elevates Jewish music with its powerful vocals and bold melodies. Alan is a strong presence in the Reform Jewish movement and works tirelessly to empower Jewish youth and adults through music. Alan serves as Musical Director for NFTY International Convention and on faculty at Shulhouse Rock Teen Song leading Conferences.
Although we cannot dance and sing in person, we can dance and sing in our homes together on Zoom (see the link to the concert below).
H. Jack Feibelman Dorothy Goldsmith Jansma Alvin Kurzer Maxwell Mann Joan Adler Mark Sheila G. Miller Eileen Parker Nathan S. Rakatansky Elwin M. Rosenbaum Faye Rozovsky Arnold H. Taylor Florence Tilles Norman Toobe Chaim Hersh Waxman Neal H White
YIZKOR ELOHIM The Congregation joins in mourning the death of
Judith Spindell David Gold Stanley Smith Lenore Rakatansky Maria Mauricia Azevedo Dr. Harvey W. Neitlich Harriet Blum Dorothy Miller Rosen Dr. Carmine Capalbo Jean Wiebe
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Temple Beth-El 70 Orchard Ave Providence, RI 02906 401.331.6070
