We Need Light

Not one of the top ten books on the New York Times non fiction books is inspiring.  There is a lot of doubt and fear.  The first book is about fear and the second, the anxious generation. We need some light and joy.

It’s the last Shabbos of the year. Rosh HaShana is on Monday night and it’s not difficult to hear the opening words of the Parsha speaking to us – “You are standing, all of you ..,  before the Lord, your God to enter into the covenant.”

What is the covenant? None other than to bring God’s light into this world. Where is this light? In the Torah, whose essence is “Or”, light.

How do we do this? Which Torah? What Torah? Where? 

The answer to these questions is also in the Parsha –  “It is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to do it.”

Look around. What is close to you? Who are your parents that you should honor? Who is your spouse that you should love and adore? Who are you children that you should provide for in love? Who are your friends that you should help and strengthen? What is your job that you should excel in? Those are the relationships, that is the task where God wants you to shine His light. To take His Torah and through our actions, speech, and intention bring it into the world. It is indeed very close.

We are living through dark times, We need to infuse it with light. Rosh HaShana is the day we accept the job offer. With a bit of trepidation I dare to say, this is what will make God very happy.