The Redwood's Lesson

August 21-22, 2015 / 7 Elul 5775

Shabbat Shofteem

Torah: Deuteronomy 16:18 - 21:9 / Haftarah: Isaiah 51:12 - 52:12

“The Redwood's Lesson”

[Note:  The Jewish month of Elul began last weekend. The great rabbis have taught that because this month precedes the High Holidays, it should be observed with meditation, introspection and preparation for the New Year.]

Dear Friends,

Dawn and I just returned from a brief visit to Seattle, Washington to attend the wedding of a dear friend’s son.  While there, we drove east to the Cascade Mountains for a day of hiking.  What beautiful country, magnificent forests, and fabulous hiking trails.  As we ascended a mountain path leading to a distant waterfal, we enjoyed the thick moss hanging heavily on the tree branches and all the ferns spread out as far as we could see.  We found ourselves in a northern pacific coast rain forest.  So, it should not have been a surprise when a few minutes later I saw a bunch of impossibly tall orange-colored trees coming into view and I yelled out, “Redwoods! We are in a forest of redwoods!”  These were younger ones – not the thousand year-old famous ones in California.  But, they were still huge and tall and strong.  We continued a little further up the trail and I found the truly large trees... however, all that was left were massive moss-covered stumps.  This area had been logged many decades ago and the stumps stood in a sad, still, and quiet salute to the massive trees that had once graced this mountainside.

Yet, the sadness was quickly turned to joy and wonder.  For emerging from many of those old and rotting stumps were young trees – new, healthy redwood growth climbing skyward, hanging on and continuing the journey.  These trees were not only still alive; they were thriving with renewed vigor and promise for the future.

In many ways, this is indeed what we pursue when we seek renewal in the upcoming High Holy Days.  We recognize that life does not end when we close a door on a project, a relationship, or a behavior.  The good and the bad that come from the life experience of our past in turn becomes the base, the pedestal upon which we continue into the future.  From these ‘stumps’ of the past come new growth, understanding, knowledge, and wisdom.

As the New Year approaches, consider those upon whose shoulders you stand.  Think of those individuals who helped you get to where you are today.  If possible, thank them and tell them what they mean to you.  As the New Year approaches, consider all the past experiences – bitter and sweet, failures and successes – that have shaped the person you are today. These are the ‘stumps’ upon which you take root and grow. As the New Year approaches, commit yourself to continuing on in life with renewed vigor and purpose.  Reach for the sky, as does the redwood.  Proclaim the age-old Jewish promise, “To Life.”

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow