Reb Lisa's Message

September 1, 2021

A new Jewish year is just around the corner. We welcome 5782 with open arms, and prepare to drop the weight and trauma of this past year.

As we look out into the world, no one can deny the pain and heartache, the fear and panic, the unprecedented chaos swirling in local gusts and global flurries. The tragedies and disasters are too many to name. We are shell shocked and have become numb.

Are we ready for the Jewish new year 5782?. Are we ready to turn the page, close the chapter, finish the book? What do we need to do in order to make this transition with more ease?

Ideally, we have been doing some earnest soul searching (cheshbon hanefesh in Hebrew). But it can be difficult to delve deeply into ourselves when the world is quite literally on fire.

Many find comfort and direction in these words from Rabbi Tarfon, a mishnaic sage who lived during the period of the destruction of the second temple:

May 5782 bring us the strength to engage in the work of repairing this fragile world of ours, little by little, step by step. Every action counts and sends unknown positive ripples. At the same time, may 5782 bring peace of mind. We are not obligated to do it all, to extend beyond what we are capable of.

May we walk into 5782, together. As Reb Zalman Shachter Shalomi reminds us:

“The only way to get it together, is together.”

L’Shanah Tovah u’metukah!