This week we end the Book of Devarim and start the Book of Bereishit. We do this every year, each year renewing the cycle of torah readings that force us to think and rethink the great narratives that constitute our mesorrah, “traditions”. Interestingly enough, the last story that we read defines the idea of Hesed or loving kindness. Moshe is laid to rest on Har Nevo, in an unmarked and unacknowledged grave. His burial place is unknown ad no one can pay their respects to a leader who served his people for over 40 years. However, G-d covers him up and provides him with the burial garments. An act of Hesed! We then turn to the Book of Bereishit, and read another story of G-d the garment provider. This time in the garden of Eden, it is Adm and Chava, who cry out that they are naked and in need of clothes, swiftly provided to them by the Kadosh Baruch Hu. The two stories expand on the theme of hesed, kindness, that we should all emulate. R. Eliyahu Dessler (1892-1953) makes explicit, that we should walk in the ways of Hashem in order to be more like him. If he does Hesed, then so should we.
How many opportunities do we have at Talmud Torah/Herzliah to do Hesed. To plant a garden in front of our building, to volunteer at food banks, to do acts of kindness randomly. Our students actively engage in Hesed daily. We are proud of their efforts and revel in their capacity to find opportunity and hope in everyday action. Together, as a community, where we: Faconnons Les leaders De Demain, we do so, by acting like G-d, walking in his ways, and going from Dvarim to Bereishit.
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