This week we begin reading the Torah from Bereshis it represents a new beginning for us all. The midrash ask why the Torah begins with the letter "Beis" the second letter of the alphabet instead of the first letter "Aleph". The midrash points out in one of the answers that the letter Beis is closed on all three sides and only opens on one side, facing forward.

I think this teaches us an important lesson, that as Jews we can always start over, we can always have a new beginning as we have been given a tremendous gift called repentance. But it is important for us to understand that when we begin and start over we don't need to look back or to any other direction that we have taken in the past. The only direction we need to look at is the one direction facing forward and progressing to a better future.

May we all be blessed with a wonderful new beginning.

Shabbat Shalom,

Heath