Parshat B’reisheet

After our almost month-long journey through the fall holidays, with all of their emotional and spiritual intensity, we return to our regular routine this Shabbat with the reading of Parshat B’reisheet, the beginning of the book of Genesis.

According to the sages of the Talmud, Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of the world. Why, then, do we read the story of creation only now, after the holidays are over? Perhaps it is to teach us that the real work of making new beginnings starts when life gets back to normal. That is when our New Year’s resolutions are put to the test.

One of the greatest challenges of life is to keep our every-day routines from overwhelming our will to change. The commitments that we make at the peak moments of our lives can easily get lost when life returns to normal.

Shabbat B’reisheet reminds us of that challenge. It also helps us to meet it. This Shabbat, like every Shabbat, is a day of renewal within our regular routine. On Shabbat, we step back from our weekly rhythm without really leaving it — since Shabbat is part of that rhythm. We take time to remember what we value most — our deepest yearnings and commitments — not by breaking our routine, but by remaining true to it. Shabbat B’reisheet comes to teach us that, ultimately, it is week-to-week — not year-to-year — that we make ourselves new.

• The New Shul’s Shabbat services are on Friday evenings from 6 to 7 pm, and on Saturday mornings from 9 am to 12 noon.
• Childcare is available on Shabbat mornings from 10 am to noon.
• Join us for Friday night dinner at The New Shul on November 1, after the 6 pm service. The cost is $18 per adult, and $9 per child under 18 (no charge for children under 5). Please send in your payment by Monday October 28 to make your reservation.