By Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort
CARLSBAD, California — This week we are not only celebrating Shabbos, but we are also ushering in a New Year, 5781. Many of us are uttering a sigh of relief as we close the door on 5780. In Hebrew we write out 5780 as Tav Shin Pay, which some have read as Tihay Shnas Pandemic (It will be the year of pandemic). According to that reading we are entering Tav Shin Pay Alef – Tihay Shnas AIN Pandemic – It will be the year WITHOUT pandemic.
In all seriousness no one would argue that this has been a stress free year. Between Covid with its death tolls, national lockdowns, and massive unemployment, civil unrest, and vast and destructive wildfires, 5780 has been a truly memorable year that we all would sooner forget. We look forward hopefully, wistfully even, for a better tomorrow. A great Rabbi once said that life is like a giant wheel that is continually turning. You should not lose hope, even when on the bottom, for when you are on the bottom you can only go up. G-d willing it is our time to go up! In fact the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson of righteous memory, wrote in a thought published in 5751 (30 years ago) that this year will be Tihay Shnas Pila’os Arenu – It will be the year that I (G-d) will show you wonders! Amen – so may it be!
We will stand before Almighty G-d and beseech Him for a year of blessing and success. When we listen to the clarion call of the Shofar on Sunday we will again accept G-d as our King, we will remind G-d (and ourselves) of the Jewish legacy of total dedication to Him even to the extent of self-sacrifice, and we will return to our loving Father in Heaven by thoroughly repenting for our trespasses of this past year.
Of course Rosh Hashanah begins on Shabbos, the holy day, which means this will be a year infused with the blessings of Shabbos. And for those of you who study Jewish texts you realize that the future era, the times of Moshiach are going to be a time of enhanced G-dly revelations – and that our current Shabbos is a foretaste of that time.
This morning when I arose in the predawn hours I was thinking about my theme for the sermons I will deliver on Rosh Hashanah. Of course I have been thinking about it, and actually working on it, for weeks already. In fact it says in the official Rabbi’s handbook that any Rabbi who does not start thinking about his High Holiday sermons by the end of Chanukah is derelict in his duties, but now, in the last moments, the theme of the sermon fills our consciousness. I was thinking about last year’s Rosh Hashanah and wondering, “WHAT HAPPENED?! How did we end up here?!”
And then I decided to count my blessings. (Disclaimer: you are about to see a whole bunch of exclamation points because I am having trouble containing my enthusiasm.) I watched my loved ones sleeping peacefully in their beds. I looked out of my window and saw a beautiful world around me. Then I looked back at my house as I was pulling out and thinking, “Wow! That is MY house (technically it is still the bank’s, but you get the gist).”
I came to our gorgeous shul and slowly took in its beauty, particularly the sanctuary, and I thought about the meaning of sanctuary and how our shul provides it. I thought about my family, friends, and community and continued to count my blessings. So many blessings! I thought about the relative peacefulness in the Holy Land and marveled at the new Abraham Accords, bringing a measure of peace between Israel and some of her Arab neighbors. That is something I had serious doubts that I would ever see in my lifetime. Now I think, I truly believe, more of the same is coming!
And then it dawned on me; I am feeling overwhelmingly OPTIMISTIC about 5781!
While I staunchly believe in Divine Providence, that G-d guides our steps and leads us where we need to go, I also believe that we play an indispensable part in where that path leads us. I firmly believe that we can will a positive year filled to overflowing with Divine Blessings! I am absolutely positive that with a positive attitude based upon gratitude for all that I have, that I am MORE LIKELY to see those blessings in a revealed way. And I am absolutely sure those blessings are available to each and every one of us!
Wishing everyone an uplifting, joyous, and HEALTHY Shabbos & Shanah Tovah!
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Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort is Director of Coastal Chabads and Chabad at La Costa. Rabbi Eilfort welcomes readers’ comments and questions and may be reached at RabbiE@ChabadatLaCosta.com.