Welcome to the New WCTC weekly blog

Dear West Coast Torah Center members,

The starting line and the finish line on a running track is really the same line. The only difference between them both is the time of the race. Before the race, the line is the beginning. After the gun goes off, the line eventually becomes the end. And depending on the length of the race, the runner might cross that staring line many times.
On Rosh Hashana we start the race…again. We go back on track (pun intended), to the starting line and BAM! The Shofar goes off, and on we go, the human race.
At the beginning of any sporting event, before the kick-off, the toss-up, the first pitch, or the first punch, the players and teams assemble to talk with the referee to go over some ground rules, and to know who’s in charge of the scoring. No matter how much dust we may kick up in protest during a game, no matter what time our watch says, no matter if one tries to get away with a foul, the referee is watching, he is in control of the regulations and keeping score. Another element on Rosh Hashana is Malchuyot, Kingship, it’s getting reacquainted with “the referee”. Because this is the time of the year for new beginnings, to return to the source, the starting line.

I would like to thank my uncle Rabbi Moshe Benzaquen for bringing me on board as associate Rabbi and for giving me a carte blanche to express myself intellectually and creatively in such a warm, open and honest environment. This is his vision for our community to grow, which is really only a sum of the growth of its individuals, grandparents, parents and children alike. His truly selfless Ahava of Am Yisrael benefits each and every one of us.

Lastly, here’s the new e-newsletter. It’s a blog. The advantage of a blog (despite the grotesque sounding name), is that it allows for feedback and your comments (note the comment icon below for your comments). We are one of the first synagogues to implement such an idea. Please let us know your thoughts. To quote the purveyors of sports equipment Reebok: “Life is short…play hard” or as I would like to say…pray hard.

Tizku LeShanim Rabot,
Rabbi Jonathan Benzaquen