Dear all,
I was on a walk this week when I came across a tree that had fallen, blocking most of the road. It gave me pause, and I reflected on the moments in time in our lives when we feel uprooted:
When we move to a new city.
When we are in a transition of jobs.
When we had a disagreement with a family member or friend.
When the last remnant of the prior generation has died.
We’ve all been there. How do we pick up the pieces and move forward?
I am reminded of a line from the 92nd Psalm, “The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree/ צדיק כתמר יפרח(tzadik catamar yifrach).
When we feel a sense of loss, when our grounding has been shaken – we have the opportunity to do acts of righteousness, allowing our souls to begin to flourish once again. No, it won’t always fully mend the pain of a loss. But each act of righteousness will become a rung on a ladder that can lift our spirits and transform the world.
Start with one, just one act. What will it be?
With love and shalom,
Rabbi Zach Shapiro
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