One of the things that I noticed about TBT over the course of the holidays is the way you take things in stride: No minyan yet? So we’ll wait and chat till more people show up. Someone doesn’t make it to the synagogue for an assigned honor? No big deal — assign it to someone who happens to be on hand. Keep it light—no hassle.

When I muffed the recitation of a blessing or the singing of a song, no one had a cow. Mistakes are par for the course, so why get upset about them?

And you enjoy laughing about what’s going on. A serious moment of prayer can turn, on a dime, into the occasion for jovial camaraderie. Spirituality flows naturally into conversation and sharing of perspectives. Most important of all is not taking ourselves too seriously while remembering that a low-key approach toward what we’re doing— the act of keeping Jewish community alive and well—works best. I like that!

Such informality and flexibility are the marks of maturity and good sense.

It’s clear to me as well that TBT members genuinely like each other and enjoy being together. I realize that every social setting has its political frictions, and I’m told our congregation is no exception to that rule. But the attitude is, overall, positive. No one of you wants to create tzuris (misery). People want things to work out—you’re not looking for things to complain about—and egos do not appear to me to be overly assertive. May the unassuming friendliness and atmosphere of good feeling continue on and on.

So what’s next? I had a beautiful time praying with you in September and October, and now I have the added pleasure of studying with you one Shabbat morning every month. I hope you have picked up on the fact that I absolutely love exploring and reflecting on the Torah and other Jewish texts; your presence will make this activity all the more delightful and engaging for me. If I have some things to teach you, I have just as much—if not more—to learn from you. That’s how it works: give and take.

Which leads back to the point I started with. Temple Beth Torah is well-named: we are a “house of learning” in the Jewish sense of being a place where social interactivity marks the learning process. Our many generations of rabbis understood that Torah is not just the contents of a series of books with “religious” content. The content of our interactions as human beings generates Torah (“learning”). We learn most effectively when the exchange of ideas is marked by patience, good humor and genuine appreciation for the views and personalities of every participant.

So—see you soon! I’m looking forward to the time ahead, when I will get to know you better, and walk with you joyfully on the path of learning and living.

Bivrahah / with blessing,
Rabbi Seth