Despite being a GenXer and spending plenty of time teaching teenagers, I’ve never been an early adopter of new technology. I’m especially wary of the computerized bells and whistles in my vehicle—more things that can break and require costly repairs. However, I’ve come to appreciate one safety feature in my new car: Adaptive Cruise Control.
At first I wasn’t sure I wanted to use this feature on Evesboro-Medford Road. I didn’t feel I could trust the car’s computer to take control of the brakes if another driver decided to make a left turn right in front of me. After a month, I’ve found Adaptive Cruise Control not only useful but also a useful metaphor for the month of Marḥeshvan. This is the month with no festivals, when our spiritual life returns to a weekly routine of six days of secular time filled with work obligations, school and business concerns. Six days that propel us forward to the celebration of sacred time, Shabbat.
As the month of Tishre draws to a close, we recall the intensity of praying together for forgiveness and atonement on the High Holidays, the joy of gathering for meals in the temporary shelters of our Sukkot, the solemnity of remembering loved ones at Yizkor on Shemini Atzeret, the excitement of singing and dancing on Simchat Torah. Tishre required us to keep our foot on the accelerator at all times and be ready to hit the brakes suddenly.
Now, as we begin to plan for the routine weeks ahead, we can proceed at a steady, controlled speed. I’m looking forward to nearly 8 weeks of predictable rhythms, 8 sabbaths of respite from the routine busyness of life, 8 weeks of opportunities for social activities and social action, 8 weeks until we celebrate Hanukkah, 8 nights of increasing light to dispel the darkness, 8 days of rededication to our community and to each other.