SHOFAR OF OPTIMISM

    "Life is a journey not only a destination."

 I recall a song whose lyrics were "What  will we do when we get, where we are going?"

  This is especially true  as we prepare for the Yamim Noraim, a time of true introspection.

   Understandably, this time of the year is a tense time for  many of us, because of the uncertainties and apprehension about the year ahead. We can hold on to the shofar of optimism, feeling confident that with our hopes and positive aspirations, we can walk into the New Year of blessing and feel confident that we will encounter a G-D that is sustaining, affirming and renewing. 

    To accomplish our visit with this vision of a bright future requires a change in how we act to each other. Only then will we  experience our true and long lasting redemption. 

    Our Torah reading for this week,Parshas Ki Tetzeh, emphasizes many important directives to achieve this ultimate goal of behavioral changes that are required during this time of introspection . 

   The Torah states"לא תראה את שור אחיך או את שיו נדחים והתעלמת מהם השב תשיבם לאחיך״

"You shall not see your brother's sheep driven away, and hide yourself from them, you shall surely bring them back to your brother."

 The crucial words of this Halacha is again emphasized  in a few sentences later, לא תוכל להתעלם, you cannot hide yourself. This means that you shall not be indifferent to your responsibilities. Once we become aware of the needs of others we have an obligation to reach out and help. The more we become aware of our fellowman, the  more responsible we become and the less indifferent we will be to the needs of others. 

    לא תוכל להתעלם,  This must be our theme and slogan in these times of confusion and in a world of indifference.  These words must be inscribed  in our hearts and minds as we become aware of ourselves and at the same time aware of the world around us, to help bring about our true salvation and the redemption of mankind. 

    In Israel there are two huge bodies of water: Lake Kinneret in the north and the Dead Sea in the south. Along the banks of the Kinneret there is flourishing vegetation, but the area along the Dead Sea is barren and desolate with only meager brush, no flowers, no fish, no fowl. The reason is simple; Lake Kinneret is full of life because it receives water from the Jordan River and gives it's own waters to the Dead Sea. On the other hand, the Dead Sea only receives, and has no outlets.

   The lesson is simple. It bespeaks of our needed attitude during these days of preparation for the most sacred days on our Jewish calendar, to always live a life of giving. The word give in Hebrew is ונתנו, which is a palindrome, suggesting that when we give we will always receive, even more.

     We need to have a Kinneret type of objective to bring about a שנת חיים ושלום לנו ולכל ישראל. 

    שבת שלום