JEWISH HOME LA

Dear Readers,

Each night, year-round, we lie down in bed expecting to wake up refreshed and revitalized from the fatigue of the previous day. The same is true each Elul/Tishrei season in a more general sense: all the previous months, with their specific yomim tovim and events are behind us. We’re ready to say goodbye to this past year and begin a new one full of energy and potential.

All our midrashim, parables, and stories about the unique qualities of this time of year are not just feel-good material. This time of year really is a ripe time for us to learn to be humble, to change, to let go of certain rigid “I wills,” and “I won’ts.”  Now’s the time to start being more respectful of our spouse, parents, in-laws, and all human beings with whom we come in contact.

The first Lubavitcher Rebbe was once asked, “What’s greater: ahavas Hashem or ahavas Yisrael?” He answered, “Ahavti eschem amar Hashem: Hashem has said He loves us, which means ahavas Yisrael is greater, for one loves the one whom the beloved loves.”

The reality is, we need to constantly improve our character traits in order to love someone else and not view them as an extension of ourselves. By us listening to and looking out for each other, we can be guaranteed that the One above will look out for us all, giving us a year full of joy, health, success, and all blessings that each one of us needs.

May this be the year our dispersed family is brought back to our home with the coming of Mashiach now.

Wishing you a wonderful Shabbos, and ah gut gebentcht yahr!

Shalom