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Rabbi
Jana L. De Benedetti
Are You Starting With Me?
One of the
lessons that is repeated in Talmud is that “Every beginning is hard.” Perhaps
that is because if it is something we haven’t done before, we are not sure if we
are capable
of succeeding. Most of us have lived enough that we don’t need to feel so
overwhelmed about the unknown. We realize that we have experiences that we can
use that can assist us in making it through the unknown. Despite the fact that
beginnings and unknowns are difficult, our Scriptures also teach us that there
is “nothing new under the sun.” Our experiences help us make good choices even
when the options are new to us.
Wisdom to
make good choices comes from many sources. We learn from our own life
experiences. We glean knowledge from those who have already made choices and
can teach
us what works. As Jews we are also blessed to have a magnificent resource of
moral and
ethical guidance in our laws and texts.
As we
approach the Jewish new year, we rededicate ourselves to re-examine our
resources, to learn more, and become more familiar with our traditions and
laws. The new year will be filled with the difficulties of introspection as we
confront our shortcomings and mistakes, and the obligation to try to right our
wrongs. It is also filled with endless possibilities, and the
potential of endless blessings. Remember that we each have things to learn and
things to teach. Each new day is a beginning. Let us make this the start of
something awesome.
Bivrakha (with blessing)
Rabbi Dr. Jana L. De Benedetti
Go to Rabbi Jana's HebrewDoc website
Rabbi Jana in the Press:
Catholic Connection: Red Mass 2010