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What words can I share after crafting all of my holiday sermons, something that does not repeat the themes that I am focusing upon? Every new year begins with the promise of hope, that the year will be a better one, filled with joy, laughter and good health. Despite our desires to be in a post-COVID era, we are not. In fact, some of the protocols that we had thought were retired have returned, taking the upswing in mood and knocking it back down again. I would hope, dear reader, that my urgings to thoughtfully review our deeds as well as use our time wisely, were heeded. None of us could anticipate what life would be like during a pandemic, unless you lived during the 1917 pandemic, and none of us can predict when we will be able to state in agreement that we are living in a post-pandemic world. We all want to say that yesterday, but alas, we are not there yet. Our patience is worn thin, and we desperately seek a respite. What I can offer is my hopes for the year 5782, and I do so by sharing a bracha that we recite every month except Elul. It is called Birkat HaChodesh, the blessing of the new month, and it is recited on the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh, the new month. I think that it says exactly everything that I would want to hope for you. This version is taken from Siddur Lev Shalem, with my slight revision from “month” to “year”.

                                                May it be Your will,

                                                Adonai our God and God of our ancestors,

                                                grant that this year bring us

                                                goodness and blessing,

                                                and bestow on us a long life,

                                                a life that is peaceful,

                                                a life that is good,

                                                a life that is blessed,

                                                a life with proper sustenance,

                                                a life with physical vitality,

                                                a life conscious of heaven’s demands and wary of sin,

                                                a life free of shame and reproach,

                                                a life of abundance and honor,

                                                a life of love of Torah, conscious of heaven’s demands,

                                                a life in which the worthy desires of our hearts are fulfilled.

                                                Amen.

May you and yours be inscribed for all of the above. L’shana Tova Tikatevu V’techatemu.