Infinity.  Philosophers, mathematicians, physicists and theologians have tried for centuries to wrap their minds around this idea.  Symbolically represented as  ∞, the definition of infinity is "unboundedness", or something without end.  In Hebrew, it is called Ain Sof and has been the topic of many rabbinical discourses - all in reference to the Holy One.  What is it about infinity, or ain sof, that captivates us? And how is it that mathematicians are able to pull this symbol into equations of relevance?  How is it they and countless others harness this concept, dance with it, and return with something tangible? Whether we realize it or not, the Torah addresses this exact dance through Bris Milah, the Yoveil (Jubilee year), Shemini Atzeret, Chanukah, and the counting of the Omer into Shavuot.  Through these special times, we experience what humans have been driving towards since the dawn of time: a taste of the Divine as we slip into the intangible, sublime realm of infinity and back.

We are wishing you a sweet and prosperous New Year 5772.  So what are your new year resolutions this year?  Would you like a set of tools which will help you be a better person, heal your relationships, and build a closer connection with Messiah?  We invite you to join our second year of mussar practice with the Riverton Mussar program.

The Hebrew term Mussar (מוּסַר), is from the book of Proverbs 1:2 meaning instruction, discipline, or conduct.  The Mussar movement was a Jewish ethical, educational and cultural movement that developed in 19th century Eastern Europe, particularly among Orthodox Lithuanian Jews.