It is a playful and brilliant Jewish tradition to discover the meaning of a new year hidden within its Hebrew letters. This year, 5787, forms the sound of the Hebrew word tashpiz, meaning “you shall host.” What a wonderful mitzvah for the year ahead.
Tashpiz invites us to open our homes and our hearts – to host friends, family members, neighbors, or someone we would simply like to know better. We can gather for a Shabbat dinner, a Passover Seder or another Jewish holiday meal. We can come together for sacred moments, from shiva meals of consolation to simcha celebrations of joy.
Eating together does more than nourish us. It strengthens Jewish identity, deepens relationships and reminds us that we are part of a caring Jewish community.
So, as we welcome the Jewish New Year 5787, we invite you to celebrate with us and the Temple Emanuel community in Andover.
5787 is more than a number. It can become our Jewish mission statement for the year ahead. We can begin fulfilling this mitzvah on Rosh Hashanah by inviting friends to share a holiday meal. It does not need to be elaborate. Welcome someone over for apples and honey on the porch – perhaps even with a little honey mead for a holiday L’Chaim!
Judaism is fundamentally a communal tradition. It is nearly impossible to live a full Jewish life alone. Judaism does not ask us to retreat from society; it challenges us to engage with it. Our responsibility is to bring Jewish values, wisdom and perspective into the larger conversations taking place throughout Greater Boston, across our country and around the world.
Being part of a Jewish community is central to creating a vibrant and fulfilling Jewish life. Even the Hebrew toast L’Chaim – “to life” – is plural, reminding us that Jewish life is meant to be shared.
The High Holy Days are among the Jewish people’s largest annual gatherings. In many ways, they are a great family reunion – a chance to reconnect socially and spiritually after the travels and rhythms of summer.
They also give us an opportunity to imagine the year ahead. What are your dreams for 5787? In what new ways would you like to grow?
Perhaps this is the year to learn to read Hebrew or chant Torah. Maybe you have dreamed of traveling to Israel with Jewish friends. You may want to become more involved in social justice or community service, or perhaps you are intellectually hungry for meaningful Jewish learning and conversation.
Whatever your aspirations may be, the Jewish community can help make them possible. One of the most important roles of an organized Jewish community is to tashpiz – to host and nurture each person’s unique Jewish journey.
So, in the spirit of 5787 – tashpiz – may we ask you to embrace the mitzvah of the year? Make time to host someone. Invite someone to your table. Break bread together. Share stories. Listen. Laugh. Celebrate. Comfort one another.
These seemingly simple acts deepen our relationships and strengthen the bonds that connect us. They help us build a kehillah kedosha – a sacred community.
And if you have never experienced the warm and welcoming Jewish community here in Andover, then tashpiz – allow us to host you for a Shabbat during 5787.
May this be a year when we open our doors, expand our tables and make room for one another.
L’Shana Tova u’Metukah – wishing you and your loved ones a sweet, healthy and meaningful New Year.
Rabbi David Wilfond is the spiritual leader of Temple Emanuel of Andover.
