B’reisheet: Time for new beginnings

It’s time for a fresh new start.  Yom Kippur has passed, a time when we look within, practice forgiveness, and think about how we might want to change and what we might want to bring in for the coming year.  In addition, many of us in Colorado have experienced great flooding and upheaval and have been forced to begin again.  B’reisheet, our first Torah portion, is all about beginnings and reminds me that even when things seem dark and hope is flagging, there is always the potential to create our lives anew.

The words in the first few verses of Torah strike deep for me this year:  “In the beginning, God created heaven and earth – the earth being unformed and void, with darkness over the surface of the deep and the spirit of God sweeping over the water.  God said, 'Let there be light' ”.   

Perhaps we can trust that even in the chaos and darkness of the rains and floods, the spirit of God was there.  Perhaps we can trust that we too, like God, can create light out of the darkness.  I’ve seen countless acts of generosity and loving kindness that have come out of this dark time.  Let us focus on the light, and shine it with great compassion towards ourselves and towards others.  Out of this great upheaval, may we experience healing and help create bright and shining newness for ourselves and others.  May we be blessed with endurance, strength and hope.