Appreciating new beginnings
Appreciating new starts, experiencing new things and letting everything take shape.
It really is a joy to experience a new smell, the feel of a new pair of shoes or to experience the fragility of a newly purchased technological gadget. I have always been fascinated by how closely people handle new items (including myself).
I remember once seeing a gentleman walking in the streets of Melbourne clearly wearing a brand-new pair of shoes. As if he were participating in a military obstacle course, he maneuvered around the streets with extreme precision. There seems to be no chance at all that any foreign substance, other than air, could come into contact with these precious new clogs.
What is it about something new that warrants this type of behaviour? Why do we become shoe police for a day or even a week?
When we were blessed with our first child, I remember standing at the maternity ward and seeing all the proud parents smiling endlessly at their new bundles of joy. The innocence, the purity and the fresh-start, so to speak, of these infants, brought a happy feeling to everyone who was present. I think that for us as human beings, something new represents something unaltered, something in its original state. As we continue our journey through life, we start to tire out, things become routine, we become accustomed to things, and in many ways we lose the initial excitement.
Several weeks after buying and wearing those new shoes, we have no trouble walking through mud or puddles!
Recently, we celebrated Rosh Hashanah, generally termed the Jewish New Year. However, to translate the Hebrew words Rosh Hashanah as the New Year is actually wrong. Rosh Hashanah literally means head of the year. A significant difference exists between these translations, and one that can inspire us to keep the enthusiasm, passion and excitement for something even when it is no longer considered “new”.
If we consider the new year simply in terms of a beginning or a fresh start, things can quickly dissipate since the main focus is on the newness. Studies have shown that in relation to the secular new year, many people’s new year’s resolutions often do not last beyond the first week!
Rosh Hashanah, Shabbat Bereishit (when we begin reading the Torah from the beginning) and any new start for that matter, should be seen as the “head of the year”.
The head of the year instructs and encourages us to use this opportunity as a catalyst for further development and growth. Every day moving forward is no longer seen as something becoming old but rather us becoming more experienced and refined. Using the shoe analogy, it is often the well-worn shoes that become our favourite because we have now allowed the shoe to mould to our foot, we now have more comfort from the many paths we have walked. Yes, something new is exciting but it is up to us to ensure the excitement is turned into action as we move forward.
I find it interesting that it is said in the name of the Tzemach Tzedek that one’s behaviour on Shabbat Bereishit sets the tone for the entire year.
The Tzemach Tzedek was imploring us to use this new start as a platform, as a launching pad so to speak, in line with the sentiments above. We must ensure that our plans, our goals, and our dreams slowly begin to take shape as each day passes.
It’s no secret that a lot of us are praying for a swift end to COVID-19. It’s time for a new beginning! This should happen right away, but let’s take advantage of this chance. Let us take advantage to not just wish for something new but rather for a chance to move forward making significant and positive changes in our lives.
May we walk down the street this week with a feeling that far surpasses that of wearing new shoes, a feeling that our body and souls are totally refreshed and renewed to greet the year ahead.
With blessings of a year filled with health, happiness, wealth and prosperity for ourselves, our families and the entire world.
Daniel Rabin is rabbi of the South Caulfield Hebrew Congregation
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