KA CC Archive Dec 2022

It’s time for a Teshuvah check in!  Yep, you heard that right.  We observed Rosh Chodesh Tevet just a few days ago, meaning that Rosh Hashanah was three months ago. Since the secular New Year will be celebrated this week, it feels like a good time to see how you are doing on any spiritual resolutions you may have made during the High Holy Day season.

Now, if you forgot what you were planning on trying to do this year, don’t worry.  New Year's resolutions rarely work out past January.  Why should we expect the same for our process of Teshuvah, returning to God?

The Jewish calendar is designed to give us many opportunities to start over.  We have four types of New Years.  We recite prayers of Repentance during every weekday Amidah.  We recite supplication prayers almost every day.  The Jewish way seems to be “whoops, I messed up again. I’ll be better next time.”  So, what are you going to do to be better this (part of the) year?  If you’re unsure where to start, here are some ideas that combine the secular idea of New Year’s resolutions (bettering yourself) and the Jewish idea of Teshuvah (bettering your relationship with God):

• Become More Prayer-Full.  How does prayer fit into your life?  Can you take an extra moment to thank God for a meal?  To express your gratitude following a beautiful moment in your life?  Try taking a prayer you know or find particularly meaningful and meditate on it.  Repeat it over and over again in a chant or song with your eyes closed.  If you are a shul-goer (or would like to be one!), think about how to mix up your routine:  pray with your eyes closed, really explore the words of the prayers, sit in a different spot in the Sanctuary, learn a new tune, or lead a service.

• Make Torah Your Primary Occupation.  This is a quote from Pirkei Avot, but it doesn’t have to mean that Torah is your full time job.  What are ways you can bring in lessons from our texts to inform your everyday life?  Are you energized by Esther’s bravery?  Keep her in mind as you stand up for yourself and ask for that raise you deserve.  Inspired by Avraham’s sense of welcoming?  Invite someone you don’t know well for Shabbat dinner.  Keep these characters, the stories of our tradition, and middot (Jewish values) in the front of your mind to help guide you each day.

• Practice Shimrat Haguf.  God gave us our bodies.  We should take care of them. Find your balanced diet, whatever it is that your body needs:  more fruits and veggies?  Less meat?  More water?  Add a little exercise to your routine (and maybe even listen to a Jewish podcast while you walk).  Don’t skip your check-ups.  Stay home when you’re sick.  You know how this one works.

• Find A Study Buddy.  Find some time to do some learning with a Chevruta (a learning friend).  Pick a topic that interests you both, whether it's parenting, Israel, Torah portion commentary, history of Jewish theater, or a Jewish cookbook.  There’s always more to learn and it’s more fun with a friend.  You can keep things very relaxed (read the same article and then discuss) or join a class together, read the text at the same time and discuss, or to make it even more fun, pretend you’re doing your own podcast and teaching someone else about the text.  What would be your spin on this topic?

However you decide to reinvigorate your Rosh Hashanah resolutions or create new ones for this New Year of 2023, I hope that you feel growth, happiness, and health.

If you want to talk out some of the ideas above, reach out!  I can help you find a topic, a place to start your journey, or think about the direction you want to take.  Drop me an email at rabbiblatt@kolami.org or click here to make an appointment with me.