A few weeks back, a classmate of my fourth grade son lost his mother after a 6-year battle with breast cancer.  Ever since they met and became friends in first grade, he knew that his friend’s mother was dying, but after 4 years of watching her lead an apparently normal life as an apparently regular mom, there was no reality to the concept of her dying.  Then one day he received a phone call from his classmate saying that his mother died.

On a recent Shabbat morning we completed the reading of Genesis.  In accordance with tradition, after the last word, the Torah was lifted by the reader and everyone said Hazak, Hazak, Venit Hazek, “Be Strong! Be Strong!  And may we all be strengthened!”  Although the origins of this tradition apparently refer to the actual physical strength required to lift the Torah, the phrase has significance today.

Many of you know that I feel passionately and strongly about Shabbat observance.  I am not one to judge others on what level of observance they maintain and by no means consider my personal level of observance as a gold standard.  Instead, I feel that the inner peace and relaxation that accompany Shabbat and prayer are worthy of sharing and encourage people to participate at whatever level they are comfortable.  For me, my favorite place to observe Shabbat is at Temple Beth Sholom.  If for some reason I am not there, you will likely find me in my second favorite place - the woods.