A guest post by Rabbi Aaron Fink (my father), Dean of Ateres Bais Yaakov on Monsey NY. Part of a weekly Dvar Torah (Torah “Thought”) series.

Seasons of Change

Another year, another season. The new year welcomes us all with a cornucopia of autumn color, a lingering reminder of summer past and potential to be realized. With the Yemei Hadin, Sukkos and Simchas Torah often accompanying the blazing foliage, we realize there is so much to be grateful for and even more to accomplish. We begin again to learn and grow.

Each season has its own beauty, as well as, a spiritual dimension for which we strive. If we pause and reflect, we will find that there is much to learn from the transformational nature of seasonal change. Indeed, it defines us.

The Torah records a fascinating conversation that Hakaodsh Baruch Hu, kaviyachol, has with Himself after Noach and his family disembark from the teivah. Hashem declares od kol yimei haaretz zera v’katzir v’kor v’chom v’kayitz v’choref v’yom v’layla lo yishbosu —continuously, all the days of the earth, planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall not cease.” The very next posuk states vayivarech Elokim es Noach v’es banav —Hashem blessed Noach and his children! Clearly there is an associative relationship between the never ending cycle of seasons and the blessing of vitality enjoyed by all mankind. How are we to understand this relationship and what does it mean for us today?

The Midrash Rabbah explains that before the mabul it was spring all year long. Chazal recount that this never ending season of youthful exuberance was a contributing factor to the decadent sins which literally engulfed the dor hamabul. Without a cycle of life, seasonal patterns of growth, change, development and rebirth, people remained self indulgent and immature. Accountability was non-existent. The entire world just ate, drank and made merry. It was not a recipe for success, but a formula for disaster.

With the world purged of its iniquity, Hakadosh Baruch Hu gifted human-kind a fresh start. As Hashem Yisborach, kivayachol,pondered the ingredients for a new world order in the post-diluvian era, He knew that for “hope to spring eternal” an eternal spring would no longer be possible. For people to mature they would need a model, one which would serve as a pattern for their own growth and maturity. And so, a cycle of seasons and complementary yomim tovim was put in place. Spring was now the starting point to cultivate ones budding growth. The summer of tending the field and harvesting produce was a metaphor for the yigeah – the effort, needed to accomplish ones task and not giving up too early. The autumn in-gathering gives way to the opportunity for reflecting upon the bountiful blessings and spiritual accomplishments of each and every day. Properly cared for, the fall harvest provides the nourishment needed to pass through the introspective chill of winter, warmed by the strength of our convictions, inspired and matured to seek new stages of growth. Finally, the late winter rains herald a time to plant anew in advance of yet another spring of rebirth and renewal as the cycle of continual growth begins again. With the seasons and their significance firmly in place, Hashem Yisborach was ready to bless humanity.

Four seasons, what a treasure. The changing seasons are a paradigm for our own growth and maturity, nurturing yet another ring in the trunk of our personal tree of life as we grow ever higher in our avodas Hashem. They serve as a model for each of us to emulate still today. May it be His will that this year be filled with seasonal beauty as we grow and mature into better, prouder, and more devout ovdei Hashem each and every day.

Related posts:

1. Sukkos: Holiday of Happiness | A Guest Post
2. Put Your Heart Into It | A Guest Post
3. I Think I Can | A Guest Post
4. The Sweet Smell of Simcha | A Guest Post
5. When Kesher is Not a Knot | A Guest Post