A New Beginning . . .
This week we will embark on a new cycle of Torah Reading as we begin with the first section of the Torah – called Bereishit / Genesis.
There’s an old Yiddish expression taught to us by our Sages: “The way one ‘sets himself up’ on the Shabbat of Bereishit is the way the entire year goes.”
By way of example: At takeoff, if a plane points itself in the right direction, setting itself on course, it needs only to thrust its engines and propel itself along this fixed and, now, preset route. However, were the plane to deviate from its flight path - even by one degree - it would eventually reach a destination miles away from the intended target and goal.
This Shabbat is when we set our flight path and course; when we point ourselves in the right direction. Let us spend a few moments during this 25 hour oasis in time to contemplate and reflect upon what we should truly value and cherish. If we set our priorities straight this Shabbat and set a plan-of-action into motion, we can more easily perpetuate the momentum throughout the year.
Let’s do a Mitzvah Today!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Raleigh Resnick