We are entering the month of Shvat. On the 15th of Shvat (Monday, February 10th) is the holiday of Tu BiShvat, the new year of trees. Jewish tradition tells us that even though we might be in the deepest winter, still, under the surface, Spring is budding. It is during the month of Shvat that the sap begins to rise again in the trees, revitalizing them after their winter hibernation. On a subtle level each of us also begins to feel the beginnings of rebirth and renewal. Sometimes it comes from within, sometimes it comes from outside.
It was 1975. At the very beginning of my journey into Judaism. Not long out of college, just 23 years old, close friends and advisors suggested I postpone looking for a job for a few weeks. Rather try learning full time in a yeshiva.
I did not mind studying. It was interesting but not inspiring. My head was not there. The world was drawing me. The time had arrived to use my strengths, get started with life, find my destiny. I was counting the minutes till the “experiment” would end.
Then one day Moshe enrolled in the yeshiva. Moshe was 45 years old, an older man by my standards. He would sit at his table after everyone else had left the study hall, struggling to learn the Hebrew letters, sweating over things that were difficult for him to absorb. It was hard to watch him.
And yet, in his life outside the yeshiva he had been living my dream. The true “free spirit”, part of a counterculture theater group based in the West Coast he spoke about the provocative street theater he had participated in. All night discussions about how to change the world. Feeling like you are the avant garde.
One evening he shared stories about the people he knew and showed his ring of keys to apartments in half a dozen cities where group members moved around at will, part of an enormous commune.
“Why did you give it all up?” I asked him. “To sit here and learn aleph beit?” “Something was missing”, he said. “I was empty. There was plenty of action, but core wasn’t there.” I could feel his sincerity.
Three short sentences, but for me a flash of light. G-d sending me a message. Something happened to my attitude. The winter was over. Sap began to rise. I could leave the walls of the yeshiva and find my place in life without the influence of Judaism and in 20 years end up back here fighting to focus. Or I could invest my time now and, armed with Torah knowledge, go out and change the world.
I heard the message and stayed. A few weeks became a few years.
Winter is turning to Spring. G-d is speaking to each of us. Take the opportunity. Change the world. With the holiness of Judaism.
Rabbi Shaul Leiter