D'var Torah

As 2023 (happily) comes to a close, our first Book of the Torah, Genesis, also comes to a close this week with Parashat Vayechi. The name of the portion means “And he lived.” It is the story of the final years of Jacob’s life, the blessings that he bestows to his sons, assigning each one a role in the tribe they will lead, and offers blessings upon his grandchildren, Manasseh and Ephraim, Joseph’s sons. 

The portion reveals much to us about Jacob’s hopes for the future as he knows the chapter of his life is coming to an end. The future, he hopes is bright for his children and grandchildren, and he prays that the coming chapter in their lives is full of promise and discovery. It’s a portion of hope. 

Every December 31 also serves as a beacon of hope for us as we think about the promise and discovery that lies ahead in the coming year. Aren’t we fortunate that we get to do this twice a year: once at Rosh Hashanah and once at the secular New Year? Perhaps we are doubly blessed if we look at it through a glass-half-full approach. Or, looking at it through a glass-half-empty approach, because life can be so hard for the Jewish people, we need to re-evaluate our current situation every 6 months! 

Perhaps, though, we can reflect on the blessings and good fortunes that we did receive this year: the people we helped, the difference we might have made into another person’s life, as we think about what 2024 will bring. 

Jacob sees promise in the future for the next generation. Do you? Will 2024 be a year that leads to peace here and in the Middle East? Will this be a year where our lives will be filled with meaning and purpose where we make a difference in the world, or in the life of someone else? 

Let’s aspire to the promise that 2024 can be THE year that leads to blessing. A year where each person is valued as a human being no matter what they believe, where they come from, what they look like or who they love. Maybe this will be the year when more people see the value of protecting the earth. Let’s aim for it all!

Shabbat Shalom and a Happy New Year!
Cantor Michael Shochet