Summer's End

The conductor rises to the slightly elevated platform. Invested with great energy, the conductor slowly lift the baton: the orchestra tenses ready to perform their well rehearsed, perhaps over over-rehearsed, rendition of the symphony. Everything must happen at once. If he oboe begins one second after the trombone the evening will turn to disaster.

So it is with the last golden moments of summer.  The Master calls all nature to its predestined assigned role.  Days grow shorter.  Apples begin to turn a brilliant red, tugging heavily on branches.  The young rabbits, which emerged in late spring, are now graced with strength and agility and will soon be envelope din a thicker coat of fur.   Once the playground of squirrels, our backyards have become a frenzied supermarket of last minute collecting of nuts for the long, cold days ahead.

In dank basements wine takes on rich warm hues. Bees will soon disappear having made their last batch of honey.  All of nature colludes, as the nights grow cooler and longer. From the pesky flies to the stately hawk, South Carolina is transformed.  

Lo yisobu b’lekhtan, nature does not comprehend itself; it simply does what it is ordered to do.  Nature does not have a mind that thinks, “It is fall and time to begin the shut down”. Rather, the Master poised at the lectern, raises His baton and nature responds uniformly.

Obedience is a sine qua non for the universe; it obeys the Master’s wishes.  Even the earthworm takes its cue from the same motion of God, as does the lion. We feel the subtle changes in the earth and, at the same time deep within the soul. We know that the curtain of summer has fallen and it is time to gather the family, send cards to relatives, and connect with those with whom we yearn to be. It is a time of ingathering - Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.  We begin to think about rearranging our clothes for winter and other small shifts as we enter a new year for the Universe.

There are many names for God. The one that we use now is Melekh, King. The whole universe is summoned to stand before the King. All that exists falls before the Infinite One.  Of course, we are the only creation that can choose to not respond to the summons. The ability to do a “pesha” a considered sin lies within our purview.  This is the truest difference between nature and us; our will be defiant for no obvious cause, just ego.

I will be there, perhaps for the last time.  Soon you and I shall meet again at the appointed time and place.  We have been called.  L’Shanah Tovah Tikateyvu v’Takhatemu.  May the Master inscribe you for goodness.