Thought for the New Year

How lucky we are. We get to reflect twice. Once for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, and now, when the calendar year rolls over onto the next year. It seems to me, back in September while in synagogue, each of us thought about our lives through an ethical lens. Did I live up to myself? Did I treat people correctly? Questions like that. Now, as the year 2011 comes to an end, the questions are different. I feel like I reflect less on behavior and more on events, less on how I treated people, and more on how was this year different than last, and how can next year be filled with hope for the future. And whether this was a successful and “simcha” filled year for you, or if it was filled with challenge and tragedy, our tradition offers advise concerning an approach to the new year and thinking about your life.

 

Ben Zoma, the second century sage, writes in Pirke Avot: “Who is rich? One who is happy with what one has…” Such a simple phrase, and yet, so difficult to accomplish. If this year, for you, has been a banner year, appreciate it, relish it, be happy with what has come to you. Others have worked just as hard, others have put in the effort, but did not taste the fruits of success the way you did. Be happy with what you have…If this year was the opposite, filled with strife and difficulty, take a look at your life, and understand that what you do have is worth appreciating. That life, in itself, not anything outside of it, is worthwhile, and that no matter what befell you this past year, it is only a part of the wholeness of life, and what remains, what is within your grasp, is worth holding onto.

 

As the clock works its way down this year, and that ball falls from the top of the tower in Times Square, look back on the year, look forward to the new one, and realize what Ben Zoma said, “be happy with what one has,” and move forward with hope for 2012.

Rabbi Jonathan Aaron

Comments

[Carrie Oderberg]

Rabbi Aaron, the messages in this blog always seem to perk me up, this one in particular. This year has been a new adventure about looking forward, and about letting go, mostly of material things like houses, etc. You reminded me that life is still good, and sometimes the simple act of looking through a different lens is all that is needed. Have a healthy and happy 2012.