Posted on September 5, 2025 by Rabbi Noah Diamondstein
Dear Temple Beth-El,
As we continue further into Elul and begin getting back to our “regularly scheduled programming” (weekly Shabbat morning services resume tomorrow morning), and as I continue, along with the Cantor, to plan for the High Holy Days, I have been meditating on my journey through this last year. 5785 was an impactful year for me in which I changed a great deal in ways both material and metaphysical–maybe it was for you, too.
I was reminded this week of a favorite series of poems from Yehuda Amichai’s collection entitled Open Closed Open. He writes:
We remember the past
And God remembers the future.
Then we forget the past,
God forgets the future,
And the world returns to chaos
Sometimes my soul wants to get out of my body for a little run,
Like a dog, and return calmer to the body. But it worries
That it won’t find the way back.
Godforsaken people meet godforsaking people;
People who forsake their childhood love those who remember.
Both have straps of every kind on their clothing, straps fastened tight
To support them and their souls on their journeys.
The work of cheshbon hanefesh is vulnerable work. Our soul can really feel cooped up like a puppy in a crate, just itching to stretch and explore. One may even experience real negative emotions when they witness another who is deeper into that work on themselves–a sense of envy, or even shame.
Amichai’s words are a comfort to me. They remind me that no matter what place I am in with my work of self-direction, I have supports for my soul should I need them. I have identified who my people are, where my places are, what my strategies are. As I recently learned from a wise stranger on my social media feed, you can’t hate yourself into becoming the version of yourself you want to become. Only self-love and hard work can do that. As you prepare for Shabbat, I invite you to take stock: who/what are your supports? And: How can you better love yourself?
May this Shabbat be one where you can let your soul out for a run. May you, even just for a day, forget the chaos of the world, and try to remember the way back.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Noah Diamondstein
