Good Night And may G-d Bless

Last summer I wrote in my summer posts when it was Week One, Week Two, etc. This year I didn't keep track like that. I know it's summer but I also know that I'm a teacher all year round.I'm looking forward to the new year. It is an honor and privilege to be starting my sixteenth year of teaching and counseling in The Frisch School. There have been summers where I formally taught. I have posted regularly here over the summer, more than during the school year. Soon I will return to that routine.

Sleep is close by, I wanted to post briefly. Soon I'll put my soul in G-d's garage. In 11:1 0f Devarim, this week's portion of Re'eih we're commanded (it's one of several times this order appears) to love G-d. It's a hard thing to get a handle on, love. Loving anyone is hard enough, loving an omnipotent being is harder.

The Rambam has a recipe for loving G-d which can be applied to loving people. He says to list the characteristics we appreciate about G-d. This is the key to loving anyone, seeing their positive attributes.

When Yaakov Avinu experiences some tension at a well with some tough guys he addresses them as his brothers ("Achai"). The lesson is that he realized they could have been his brothers. We love our family and cut them slack. We see the positive in them and feel connected. We need to do this with G-d and with everyone. May we be so blessed.