By RABBI OSHER FELDMAN of The Gardens Shul, and Chairman, Rabbinical Association of the Western Cape
I am writing this message shortly after the fast of Tisha B’Av, the Jewish National Day of Mourning for the destruction of the First and Second Temples.
One of the moving moments for me this Tisha B’Av was walking into Shul on Tisha B’Av afternoon and seeing a large and robust Minyan for the afternoon service.
Certainly, one of the great agents of healing for the collective trauma and tragic consequences following the destruction of the Holy Temples is seeing full and vibrant synagogues.
As they typically are throughout Cape Town for the High Holidays.
I just have one suggestion: If you haven’t been the biggest shul-goer this past year, please do not go to shul this Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur laden with guilt.
Do not allow feelings of inadequacy to hold you back from the joy and pleasure of going to shul and connecting with G-d and your beloved community.
Celebrate the ‘win’ of going to shul today, rather than focusing on what could have been yesterday.
We are often too hard on ourselves for our (perceived) failings. Because of this we easily miss the joys and moments of gratitude for the small but meaningful experiences and accomplishments.
Many of us have heard of the Mitzvah of Bikkurim. These were the first fruits that farmers would bring to the Temple as an expression of gratitude to G-d. Did you know there is no minimum requirement for how much fruit a farmer could bring? Even a single grape warranted the farmer making the triumphant trek to Jerusalem.
Our lives are filled with these single grapes. Each one waiting to be savoured and enjoyed. Let us not overlook them.
We live in a culture that strives for excellence. Which I wholeheartedly embrace. Yet, we cannot find ourselves in a perpetual state of striving without ever experiencing the taste of arriving.
The taste of that single grape.
Which, once tasted, usually triggers the desire for more grapes, and even for a philosophical understanding and appreciation for the sometimes difficult road in getting them.
Like the story of the Microsoft employee who made some poor business decisions resulting in Microsoft losing 10 million Dollars. He was called in to see the CEO Bill Gates. The employee apologises while remarking that he supposes he would now be fired. Gates replies, ‘Fire you? Why would I do that? We just invested 10 million dollars in your education!’
There are many challenges we face this year as a community. But before we strategise solutions, let us take a moment to appreciate how far we have come. How much we have learned. How blessed we are as a community.
Let us savour the sweet taste of arriving.
And once we do this. Genuinely. Sincerely. With humility. We will be ready to continue striving towards the greatest of heights for the New Year 5785.
On behalf of the Rabbinic fraternity in Cape Town, I wish you a Shana Tovah in every way. Please do not be shy. We would love to welcome you at our Shul services over the High Holidays and beyond.
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