RABBI WEIN POST – HOLIDAY TENSIONS

For the past two months much of the Jewish world, both public and private, has been on hold. Important decisions, as well as matters that in retrospect are now seen as perhaps less important, were postponed. “Call me after the holidays,” has been this rabbi’s mantra to requests made of him during this time period. But now it is after the holidays and the crunch of the past postponements and procrastinations have descended in full force. In my rabbinic career I have found that the month after the holidays of Tishrei to be the most dangerous time for family relations, partnership and monetary issues, communal disagreements and personal piques. It is as though the cover has been removed from the pressure cooker of the months of Elul and Tishrei, the time of personal introspection and attempted spiritual devotion.