Bereisheet 5772

by: Cantor David Reinwald

And we again start anew in our year of reading the Torah.

My d’var Torah for Bereisheet requires you to be a part of the discussion, so please discuss.

I’ll give you a topic.  🙂

Bereisheet is all about beginnings.  It begins this large book of the Torah, which is chock full of amazing stories.  We almost go through all of these stories too fast.  They are full of life–perhaps more so than in any other part of the Torah.  So, perhaps this year, we will make the resolution to find those connections and draw closer to them this time around.  A rabbi I worked with commented on the Torah once to a group of young students noting that the idea of returning to the Torah again and again comes with the notion that each time you see things anew and differently, from a varied perspective at that point in your life.  You look for new themes that relate to where you are now.  And, it is all there in the Torah.  You just have to find them and connect to them at the right time.

So, what are your beginnings this year?  What are your resolutions that you are willing to share?  What are you looking forward to, and what changes are you making in your life for the better?  By sharing these things, you may inspire others to make them a part of their journey too.  We’re all in this together.

Please discuss in the comment section of this d’var Torah.  And, I will discuss right along with you.

2 Responses to Bereisheet 5772

  1. Caroline Paltin October 18, 2011 at 9:27 pm #

    This is a great topic. I have been dealing with endings and beginnings so much lately. My oldest son moving faster toward the end of high school in a few years, which means the beginning of research for college. This has been the beginning of some independence in his development, and it means the end of the way I mothered him, and the beginning of a new way. I am also launching a new program which I am very passionate about. Between parenting and the program, I see that forging closer and deeper connections in various ways has become a focus for me this year.

  2. Cantor R. October 18, 2011 at 9:32 pm #

    One thing I decided this year was to get myself back into reading more than I had been. I find that it is tough to often devote the time I need to read as much as I once did with the given time demands of my job. I am also the kind of person who forgets what I am reading when I let a book sit for too long. So, I made the decision that I was going to give up my Netflix subscription of five years, and get back to the basics– and I have sooo many books waiting to be read on my bookshelf (part of the reason that I also haven’t given in yet to the digital Kindle revolution). So, I have already gotten into a few of the books calling my name, and there are so many more that I’m excited to delve into. It is going to be a great literary year! 🙂