What do you see when standing in line at the bank or grocery store, or when filling up the gas tank? People everywhere are texting, talking and emailing. The new posture is balancing a cell phone while standing in line or leaning against furniture, with a credit card in one hand and also talking to a clerk. We're trying to effectively cram as much stuff as possible into a confined span of time. And we lose the ability to patiently listen to the person immediately in front of us, next to us or on the phone with us.
Rosh Hashanah is approaching and the Torah reading associated with Shabbat is Nitzaveem, which means "standing up. “Everyone is standing together! Children, adults, teens, spouses, parents and grandparents, elders and leaders, families and individuals; all are assembled and standing up together. The specific text describes Moses's call to everyone to be attentive to God as the community prepares to enter the Promised Land. As we approach Rosh Hashanah this text has much to offer. In a few days we shall assemble in Shul to welcome the New Year and to stand in the presence of the Ultimate One. It is a time to focus our attention and to be patient with each other, both during services, and especially in the upcoming year.
May the upcoming year be a year of sweetness and health, patience, love and blessings!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Steve Silberman
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