By
Y.Y. Hodakov
An
old Jewish anecdote tells of a beggar who approaches a fellow leaving the
synagogue after morning services.
“Could
you spare some change?” He pleads.
“I
already gave you a dollar on my way into the synagogue!”
“Please”,
the beggar responds, “stop living in the past!”
*
This
week, a friend of mine in Israel was invited to attend the Bris (circumcision)
of an immigrant from Uzbekistan, who is almost 80 years old. Gregory had only
recently discovered that it was still possible for him to be circumcised, and
was determined to go through with it, despite his age and physical condition.
After
the Bris, when asked how he was feeling, Gregory jubilantly declared, “I feel
like a Kosher and happy Jew!”
*
Are
you comfortable with the current level of your Jewish learning and living? Does
the routine ever begin to feel stale? Or, does it help you feel grounded,
secure in your predictable behavior?
This
Shabbos, we take out three Torah scrolls.
In
the third, we read what is known as “Parshas Hachodesh". It includes the
Mitzvah of setting the Jewish calendar, month by month. When the moon is once
again visible, having begun its new (= “Chadash”) cycle, the Jewish calendar
begins a new month (= “Chodesh”).
Unlike
the solar calendar that follows the more routine cycle of the sun, our lunar
calendar highlights the need for constant renewal.
Most
of us are not called on to face the challenge of considering having a Bris at
80. Yet, we would do well to regularly challenge ourselves to go beyond the
comfort zone of what we have already achieved, and infusing our activities with
new energy and vitality, reflecting the regular rebirth and renewal of the moon.
We can do this by both adding to what we already do, and to infuse our ongoing
activities with renewed vigor and energy.
Shabbat
Shalom, Chodesh Tov.
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