It may only be July but we are inching ever closer to the High Holy Days. This weekend we mark one of the milestones in this yearly journey, the holiday of Tisha B’Av. In addition to commemorating the destructions of the ancient Temples in Jerusalem, Tisha B’Av begins a six-week count down until Rosh Hashanah. It signals each of us to start reflecting on this past year as we aim toward the New Year. So it should be no surprise that we find Moses engaging in a similar task in our parsha this week. As we begin the book of Deuteronomy, Moses recounts the highlights (and lowlights) of the Israelites’ journey. It signals each of us to start reflecting on this past year as we aim toward the New Year. So it should be no surprise that we find Moses engaging in a similar task in our parsha this week. As we begin the book of Deuteronomy, Moses recounts the highlights (and lowlights) of the Israelites’ journey.
What were your high and low points from this past year?
There haven’t been to many lows in my life this year. This year has been full of richness and joy. We went on our first post-covid vacation. It was so wonderful to get away and enjoy people again! I recently reconnected with my dear friend Marilyn Laird of 15 years. She is a great joy in my life. My old lady art friends have resumed meeting Fridays at our local senior center. Perhaps the greatest joy of this year is having made the decision to take conversion classes with Rabbi Kate beginning in September. It has been a year full of highlights and joy.