Marking the Miracles

            A few weeks ago, the weather finally turned towards winter.  It was the first brutally cold December day and the snow began to fall for the first time.   “Oy,” was all I could think.  I had enjoyed the warm fall weather, the coatless days, and the changing of the colors.  The meteorologists all expected a winter filled with huge snowfalls and I dreaded the impending storms.  “Not again!” 

            As the snow began to pick-up, Caleb and I left home to go pick-up some food from the grocery store.  I was shivering from the cold and depressed by the first snow fall.  Yet, Caleb was all joy.  “Look Abba, look at the snow!”  He was running around in circles and trying to catch snowflakes on his tongue.  He was the happiest I had seen him all day.  “Cool, Abba, it’s so cool!”  It was at that moment, I realized how miraculous it was that it snowed that day.  It was after all, the first snowfall of the season!  How many days of snow would we receive this year?  A dozen perhaps, give or take a few days.  It was a blessing, a miracle!

            I looked at Caleb and told him that this was a Shehechiyanu Moment.  This was a special moment where we should thank God for the miracle of snow.  Together, we recited the blessing, thanking God that we were able to reach this moment together.  Afterwards, I grabbed his hand and the two of us spun around outside on our lawn catching snowflakes on our tongues.

            Just a few weeks ago, Rabbi Paul Kipnes visited Temple Sinai to share some insights from his new book “Jewish Spiritual Parenting.”  One of the best lessons he provided me was our responsibility as parents and mentors to teach our kids how to be grateful.  A perfect approach to move towards gratitude was to mark all of the blessings in our lives.  Taking a moment each and every day to recite the Shehecheyanu teaches us (and our kids) to “thank” God for all of the gifts of life.

            Caleb reminded me to look at the positive and I taught him to be thankful for the blessings of life!  As the cold and the snow begin to beat down upon us, may we reflect upon our bounty and our joy.  Wishing us all a wonderful winter season!

Time for Torah: A Short Video on Vayiggash

This week's Torah portion focuses on the relationship of Joseph and his brothers.  The last time Joseph met his brothers, they sold him into slavery and lied to their father.  Now, decades later, Benjamin, Joseph's brother, has been taken into custody as well.  He's about to become a slave which would break their father's heart.  This time, Judah stands up and protects his brother. 

This story about Joseph and his brothers is a human story that describes our understanding of Teshuvah, repentance.  It reminds us that each of us are capable of growth and change.

How can faith bring about a happier New Year? - Asking the Clergy

Check out my latest column in Newsday's "Asking the Clergy."  This week's question: "How can faith bring about a happier New Year?

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Jewish tradition teaches that happiness is most often achieved when we change our outlook and appreciate the blessings in our lives.  In the Talmud, we learn of a man named Nachum Ish Gamzu who was considered to be the happiest person in his generation.  Nachum suffered the horrible tragedy of living his days without the use of his legs or arms, an experience that would lead most of us towards depression and self-doubt.  Yet, whenever something bad happened, Nachum would reply, “This too happened for a good reason.”  It was his attitude that made him the happiest person in the world.  He constantly appreciated all of the gifts he possessed and never focused on the negative.

In addition, Jewish tradition also teaches that happiness is achieved by being part of a spiritual community.  In Psalm 106:3 we learn: “Happy are those who act justly, who do right at all times.”  While in Psalm 86:5 we are reminded: “Happy is the one who finds refuge in You.”  Finally, Proverbs 3:18 clarifies the importance of wisdom and the happiness that is achieved through study.  These Jewish texts deliver a resounding message, that happiness is attained through engagement with others: through learning, prayerful experiences, and acts of kindness.

As the calendar turns from 2016 to 2017, may all of us appreciate the many blessings that are a part of our lives.  May we search out moments of connection with our own faith communities and with the broader world that surrounds us.