Dear Friends,
Shampoo. Rinse. Repeat.
Instructions from teacher to first grade class: “Review addition tables. Repeat, twice.”
Direction for Olympic runner: “Stretch, jog, warmup lap. Stretch. Repeat.”
It looks like there is a value to “Repeat”.
Although many of us groan and begrudge repetitions – they are monotonous, time-absorbing and boring – they seem to bear some merit. Afterall, so many beneficial behaviors or worthwhile aspirations entail repeated repetitions.
Torah seems to concur. This week we commence reading the book of Deuteronomy, which in its very name as well as much of its content, is a repetition of earlier episodes and commands. Implanted in its very name, “Deuteronomy,” Greek for “repetition of law,” is that this book includes a rehashing and revisiting of the incidents and instructions which occurred since Exodus.
Why?
Most simply, pedagogues understand that repetition is essential to learning. Decades ago when I lived in Israel during rabbinical school, a critical component of learning and assimilating modern Hebrew was repeating the binyanim – the basic building blooks of Hebrew verbal construct. Eventually, they take root.
But, moreover, Judaism seems to understand that ethical development and justice learning requires repeated reengagement with the episodes of life and of history. I sometimes chuckle that every year, year after year, we reread the Torah from beginning to end, from B’reishit to Devarim, from Genesis to Deuteronomy. “Why didn’t we learn it the first time?” I playfully ask.
And, the answer is in the question. We did not learn it the first time, because we could not learn it the first time. As we grow and evolve, so, too, do the issues and challenges and understandings of life. Hence, repetition allows new vistas, not simply regurgitations. Each time we repeat a task, an exercise, or a study, we include in our experience revised, new foundation upon which to encounter the repetition.
Hence, as we commence Deuteronomy, we know that the High Holy Days are but seven or eight weeks away. Soon, we will repeat those, as well. And, this year, the Machzor – the High Holy Day prayer book, will not have changed from last year. Nor have the prayers changed. Nor have the melodies changed.
What has changed, however, is us!
Shampoo. Rinse. Repeat!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
Shampoo. Rinse. Repeat.
Instructions from teacher to first grade class: “Review addition tables. Repeat, twice.”
Direction for Olympic runner: “Stretch, jog, warmup lap. Stretch. Repeat.”
It looks like there is a value to “Repeat”.
Although many of us groan and begrudge repetitions – they are monotonous, time-absorbing and boring – they seem to bear some merit. Afterall, so many beneficial behaviors or worthwhile aspirations entail repeated repetitions.
Torah seems to concur. This week we commence reading the book of Deuteronomy, which in its very name as well as much of its content, is a repetition of earlier episodes and commands. Implanted in its very name, “Deuteronomy,” Greek for “repetition of law,” is that this book includes a rehashing and revisiting of the incidents and instructions which occurred since Exodus.
Why?
Most simply, pedagogues understand that repetition is essential to learning. Decades ago when I lived in Israel during rabbinical school, a critical component of learning and assimilating modern Hebrew was repeating the binyanim – the basic building blooks of Hebrew verbal construct. Eventually, they take root.
But, moreover, Judaism seems to understand that ethical development and justice learning requires repeated reengagement with the episodes of life and of history. I sometimes chuckle that every year, year after year, we reread the Torah from beginning to end, from B’reishit to Devarim, from Genesis to Deuteronomy. “Why didn’t we learn it the first time?” I playfully ask.
And, the answer is in the question. We did not learn it the first time, because we could not learn it the first time. As we grow and evolve, so, too, do the issues and challenges and understandings of life. Hence, repetition allows new vistas, not simply regurgitations. Each time we repeat a task, an exercise, or a study, we include in our experience revised, new foundation upon which to encounter the repetition.
Hence, as we commence Deuteronomy, we know that the High Holy Days are but seven or eight weeks away. Soon, we will repeat those, as well. And, this year, the Machzor – the High Holy Day prayer book, will not have changed from last year. Nor have the prayers changed. Nor have the melodies changed.
What has changed, however, is us!
Shampoo. Rinse. Repeat!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
