Look what the wind blew in…
In the spirit of Rosh Chodesh, the new Jewish month of Adar Sheni (the second Adar of this leap year), I planned to have a farbrengen** instead of my daily “GPS for the Soul” class. Because Tsfat was having a crazy storm, with thunder, lightning and golf-ball sized hail, no one from the community came. How can there be a Rosh Chodesh Adar Sheni without a farbrengen at Ascent?!
I looked around to see how we could celebrate, notwithstanding the fierce, cold weather outside. I found two of Ascent’s workers, invited them into the library for a l’chaim during their break, and we were joined by some of their colleagues. It was a beautiful and special get-together. Unexpected and full of chassidic warmth (helped by the l’chaim!!).
After they left to return to work, I saw a young man in Ascent’s courtyard. He told me that today, Rosh Chodesh Adar Sheni, is his birthday! What a joyous day for a birthday! What a great place to celebrate! He and his friend came into the library, we started to farbreng, learning about each other and celebrating his birthday by learning Torah, and making soul resolutions for the future.
When the birthday boy said he is going back to Brazil, and how he will miss the atmosphere in Ascent and in Tsfat, we talked about how we can help to strengthen him as a Jew. I gave him an English-Hebrew Tanya, (he borrowed a hat!) and we exchanged WhatsApp numbers.
The smiles on their faces tell it all.
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** An informal, inspirational chasidic gathering where words of Torah are shared and melodies are sung over refreshments and a “l’chaim”.