My husband and I went to visit an old friend on Sunday.
When I got in his car I turned around and noticed an umbrella in the back seat.
I breathed out the word “Daddy”
It was my father’s old umbrella. A long sleek European model, not the sort which is sold in Target.
I hadn’t seen it in years. My Mom gave it to my husband and somehow catching sight of it triggered an intense feeling of loss.
These days many are struggling with loss and trying to move through the dance of loss and life.
It has been over two years since October 7. So many beautiful families were torn asunder as young fathers and newly married grooms fell in battle.
Recently we have been privy to hear the stories of many young widows who are remarrying and beginning a new chapter in their lives.
It is heartbreaking and breathtaking at the same time.
One bereaved father, Chagi Luber, accompanied his daughter in law to her new bridal canopy with an exquisite poem which paints the picture of his devastation over the loss of his son, accompanied by the exhilaration that the widow of his son will now have a husband and the orphan children of his son will have a father. He acknowledges his shattered heart which is mirrored in the shattering of the glass under the chuppa, while celebrating the rebirth of the nation.
Another widow, mother, bride, Naomi Chaimov, walked to her Chuppa holding the hands of her two young children. They in turn each held a white balloon bearing a picture of their father who fell in battle and the words “continuing in your path” as they accompanied her on the walk towards the next stage of her life.
It seems superhuman.
How are these mere mortals able to live with the pain and the sorrow while focusing on hope and a future?
This week’s Torah portion Bo, details the last three of the ten plagues. The Jewish people are poised for redemption, but Pharaoh remains incalcitrant, refusing to allow the Jews to leave. In the middle of the chaos and drama of the plagues there is a pause and the first commandment or Mitzva is given to the Jewish people.
It is the Mitzva of Rosh Chodesh, consecrating the new moon.
Rabbi Berezovsky, 20th century Chassidic teacher explains that Gd chose the consecration of the new moon as a message to the Jewish people. Just as the moon constantly renews itself so to do we the Jewish people continually revivify ourselves. This Mitzva gives us the power to overcome our challenges.
We don’t sanctify the moon when it is full and in all its glory. Rather, we do so when all that is revealed of the moon is just a sliver in the sky. The rest of the moon is shrouded in darkness, but we go forth on faith, knowing there is a whole other perspective to be revealed.

We are reading the Torah portions in Shmot, Exodus.
The first letters of each of the names of the portions
SHmot , Vaera, Bo, Beshalach, Yitro, Mishpatim spells out the word Shovavim.
(It works when you use the Hebrew letters)
During the weeks of Shovavim we focus on the Jewish family and the roots that support it.
We focus on the Jewish women and their faith.
In Hebrew faith is Emunah.
The two first letters of Emunah are EM, which translates to mother.
The basis of faith in the family stems from the mother.
The basis of faith in the Jewish people stems from the women.
The Talmud famously teaches us that it was in the merit of Jewish women that we were redeemed from Egypt.
There is a Midrash that says that the women took it upon themselves to support the men during the time of exile. They did this from a place of trust and faith in Hashem, Gd. Without their support, continues the Midrash, it is questionable if the men would have survived.
The Talmud goes on to say that it is in the merit of righteous women that we will ultimately be redeemed.
We are in a long dark exile that seems hopeless.
Yet, we are tasked to bring it to an end.
The famous poem of Aishet Chayil, the paean of praise to the Jewish woman, penned by King Solomon in Proverbs 31 says “she arises when it is still night”.
This refers to the strength the Jewish woman who stands up against adversity even in the darkest of times.
It doesn’t seem that times can become darker.
If we are waiting for the inspiration that will bring us out of these times, we need only look around the room.
It is our responsibility to step up and bring redemption.
Time is of the essence.