Beyond the Bema

During Rosh Hashanah services, the Drash centered on a powerful metaphor from the Talmud: the reed and the cedar. The moment I heard it, I was hooked. This ancient imagery carries timeless lessons in resilience and humility—exactly the kind of wisdom I needed to usher in the new year.

The metaphor contrasts two trees: the reed, which bends with the wind yet stays rooted, and the cedar, which stands tall and rigid but is easily uprooted by strong gusts. It’s a vivid reminder that strength isn’t always about standing firm—it’s often about knowing when to sway.

As much as I’d love to believe this year will be smooth sailing, I know better. Life brings its share of highs and lows. But the reed teaches us that flexibility and humility are what keep us grounded through it all.

So here’s the key: stay humble. Be like the reed—bend, don’t break. Or in my words, “just ride the wave” 🤙. That’s how we build true resilience.

The past few years haven’t been easy. But I’m starting to see that the struggle has shaped me—not into a brittle cedar, but into a reed that knows how to move with the wind. My faith has become my anchor. Attending services, making music for HaShem, and continuing my journey with the Hebrew language so I can study Torah and Talmud—these are the roots that keep me steady.

Here’s to a new year of growth, humility, and riding the waves with grace!