The New Year 2023: A Time for Renewal
Hope is intangible but real, and it has to do with faith, and G!d, and a New Year. For what is a new year?
- A new year is another opportunity granted by G!d to renew one’s feeling of hope.
- A new year is a chance to begin again and hope to strengthen one’s character
- A new year is a moment in time to re-track, to change, for the better.
- A new year is a time to look to the future with eager anticipation, and to assess and determine the steps we need to take to improve ourselves and our lives.
A football coach known for his optimism entered the locker room and gave the players a pre-game pep talk. “All right, boys,” he offered cheerily, “here we are, unbeaten, untied, and unscored upon–and ready for the first game of the season.”
Now we are renewed, refreshed and ready for 2023. It is a whole new ballgame. We are veterans in living, and now we start a new season. We have been given life, and where there is life, there is hope.[1] With the right attitude, with a feeling of love in our hearts, and with hope in our souls, we can have a great year.
Let us approach life with vigor and enthusiasm because we are given the opportunity to press the restart button. Life holds much promise, and so we can take this time and begin to live with anticipation, with eagerness, with hope, and, not least, with joy.
Alevai! So may it be! May 2023 be a year of purpose, joy, love, hope, and community!
Rabbi J.B. Sacks
[1] JT, B’rachot 9:1.