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One of the many things that sold me on Cheshire when I first came to visit almost a year ago is the fact that the town boasts a bookstore called Reread. In addition to its high level of community involvement and mission of providing job training to young adults with special needs, the shop’s name intrigued me. Rereading favorite books has always been a passion of mine. Beyond the fact that we’re talking about a used bookstore, I’ve wondered since my visits to this one if anyone else out there shares my affection for well-worn, dearly familiar words. 

This past Tuesday during tefillah, I asked the kids why they think we might return to books we’ve already read. Here are some of the responses I received: 

Every time I read it again, I find something new. 

If there was a funny part, I can take more time to appreciate it. 

I like reading new books too, but when you read old books you liked, you get to know them even more. 

I couldn’t have said it any better. 

And what’s more, during this season of our Jewish calendar, even if we don’t know it, we are all rereaders. 

We are on the cusp of Simchat Torah, our celebration of the end of one Torah reading cycle and beginning of another. Given Judasim’s rich literary tradition, there are many things we could read a portion of each week other than Torah. And those choices have their due, whether special festival readings or subjects of study. But it is Torah we return to, again and again each week. It is Torah that is worthy of reverence and struggle in ways that keep us engaged. Its stories, its drama, its laws and ethics, its deeply flawed individuals and families. Torah is there for us over the cycle of each of our lives; waiting always for us to draw up a chair, to listen, to question, to discover ideas old and new. 

“The words in the scroll don’t change,” I remarked to the kids on Tuesday, “but what does?” Without hesitation they called out, “we do!” They speak for us all. 

Join us at our Family Service tonight at 6:30pm, at which which we’ll celebrate Shabbat and Simchat Torah together with joy. If you’ve never seen the entire scroll unrolled, or tried a few dance steps while holding the Torah, this is the time! 

B’vracha, 

Rabbi Gutterman