True Peace

At the end of each day, I try to take a few moments to review my day in my mind. During this time, I consider the things that have gone well and express gratitude to God for the blessings and successes. I also think about things that could have gone better, and try to see them as valuable lessons and learn from my mistakes.

Each day presents its unique set of challenges, alongside moments of profound wonder. No matter what happened the day before, I anticipate the arrival of a new day and the fresh start that it brings with endless possibilities.

In this week’s Torah reading, we discover that “Moses finished setting up the tabernacle…” Jewish sages have observed that the Hebrew word used for ‘finished,’ kalot, can also mean ‘bride.’

What is the relationship between the completing of the Tabernacle and a bride?

When we think of a bride, we think of someone who is embarking on a new life filled with dreams and hopes. The completion of the Tabernacle’s construction, also signifies the dawn of a new chapter.

The completion of the Tabernacle by Moses marked the start of a new era. For the first time ever, God had a symbolic dwelling place on earth, and His presence was deeply felt among the people. It signified the end of one period and the beginning of a new chapter.

Similarly, throughout our lives we experience some significant endings that, paradoxically, serve as new beginnings. Each day, each week, and each year eventually reaches its conclusion. Relationships, jobs, and periods of residence may come to an end. The seasons of our lives, and those of our children, continuously change and evolve, both ending and beginning.

The key lies in letting go of what has reached its end, while willingly embracing the beginnings that await us. Every ending presents an opportunity to release that which no longer serves us, holds us back, or causes unnecessary pain. It offers us the chance to carry forward the positive, instructive, and joyful moments, infusing them into the fabric of our next chapter. Each ending becomes a new beginning, teeming with potential for a brighter and more fulfilling future.