Newsletter September 15, 2011 - 16 Elul 5771
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Making an Entrance
In Honor of the Baal Shem Tov & his Teachings on his birthday, Chai Elul
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You walked into the party
Like you were walking onto a yacht
Your hat strategically dipped below one eye
You scarf it was apricot
You had one eye in the mirror
As you watched yourself gavotte
("You're So Vain" by Carly Simon) Poor David! He made his entrance on the same stage as a giant. Would people remember the contrast between Goliath and the boy who couldn't wear Saul's armor, or the fact that David was willing to battle the giant despite his being vertically challenged? The entrance matters.
Jacob and Esau will always be remembered by their entrance into the world: "The first one emerged red, entirely like a hairy mantle...After that his brother emerged with his hand grasping on to the heel of Esau (Genesis 25:25-26)." Their entrance mattered.
We mastered the Exit in last week's portion. This week's portion, Ki Tavo, "When You Enter," is a description of how to make a memorable entrance into the new year. "You shall take of the first of every fruit of the ground that you bring in from your Land that God, your Lord, gives you (Deuteronomy 26:2)," and then you tell the story of the Jewish people. We do not simply make a grand entrance; we bring the fruits of our labors and say to God, "This is what we have done with what You have given us. This is how we have taken our story forward into the future."
We enter Rosh Hashanah with a basket full of our accomplishments and growth of the past year, and we say, "This is what we have done with the life You gave us." Our entrance is a statement of our stories. The good and the bad. The accomplishments and the failures. The challenges and the blessings. We enter will full disclosure of our lives, with a declaration of what we have done to move our lives forward into the future.
It can be a grand entrance. It can be an entrance that matters.
Take time to review the past year, not just to repair the mistakes, but to celebrate growth and accomplishments. The people who offered their First Fruits would make elaborate presentations with decorated baskets. They entered Jerusalem in huge parades. The presentation of their development was an essential part of their entrance, as it is for us. Rosh Hashanah is not a time of weeping, mourning our failures. It can be a magnificent celebratory entrance into the New Year, presented with joy and confidence.
The entrance matters. Are we ready?
Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Simcha L. Weinberg President If you are interested in sponsoring our  winning Newsletter, please email info@thefoundationstone.org Go to our Blog  Follow us on Twitter   Become a Fan  |
