It doesn’t have to be complicated.

A simple apple dipped in honey is as sweet and delicious as the most intricate, ornate dish and allows us to celebrate God’s creation in its purest form. The sound of a shofar wakes us up to a call to action in a way that few other sounds can. A phone call to a lonely friend or relative lifts them up far more than a text or an email. A yizkor candle allows the glow of memory to bring a sense of peace whether the relationship was loving and supportive or not. The first sip of water and bite of food after a meaningful fast is a reminder of the blessings of having enough.

Judaism has 613 commandments and thousands of laws and traditions. It is wonderfully embracing and at times complicated and nuanced. Judaism invites us to study, wrestle, engage and act as we enter into 5783.

This year, let us give ourselves the gift of realizing the worth of simple but meaningful acts both in our Jewish practice and beyond. The previous volume of the Book of Life might be closed, but we are already collecting data and stories and acts of generosity for the next volume.

Gotta go – it is time to buy some oranges and apples for the Sukkot fresh fruit drive!