SEPTEMBER 29 • 2022 | 9

Israel and argues for mercy
on Sodom and Gomorrah.
Abraham challenges Divine
will and rises above ashes
and dust to be a champion
for those who cannot
advocate for themselves.
In that sense, the Days
of Awe are not only about
self-effacement before the
heavenly throne. Because
the Days of Awe are about
the possibility of soul
searching, and about the
prospect of change based
on reflection; they are also
about human agency and
potentials.
Rebbe Simcha Bunim of
Peshischa, a leading Hasidic
master of the late 18th
century, is famously quoted
by Martin Buber. Rebbe
Reb Bunim taught that one
should guard in separate
pockets two distinct verses
— “I am only ashes and
dust” and “for my sake the
world was created.”
The first is a therapeutic
prompt against the excesses

of pride. Simply said —
Don’t believe your own
hype. I am not the center
of the universe. The second
is a restorative against
despondency. Although
we are ashes and dust, we
are also — as Joni Mitchell
reminds us — “we are
star dust, we are golden.”
Although we all experience
self-doubt, we possess the
potential to surpass our own
assumed limitations.
I began to carry the
Rebbe Reb Bunim (by way
of Buber) text in my wallet.
That way I can be assured
that my wallet contains
something of real value.
Hopefully — together with
sporadic updates from the
James Webb Space Telescope
— I will be spurred onward
for the new year.

Scott Copeland is the executive vice

president at J2 Adventures, a travel

brand that crafts Jewish educational

and experiential journeys to Israel.

First published at Times of Israel.

Inspired by Spirit
Section
As a longtime subscriber to
the JN, I am pleased to tell
you I enjoy many articles
and recipes on a weekly
basis, but I am writing this
thank-you note for the last
few years that your Spirit
section has been highlight-
ing the thoughtful articles of
Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks
of UK Commonwealth. They
are very inspirational, also
the articles of Rabbi Warren
Goldstein of South Africa
and, of course, the many of
our local rabbis, too.

— Ruth Rosenfeld

West Bloomfield

Corrections

In “For the Love of Cars,”
(Sept. 15, page 12), there
were errors in the section
about Robert Stoler.
His son Scott Stoler is
married to Lindsay, and
his daughter Liz is married
to Michael Deventier. Mr.
Stoler has a granddaughter
named Sarah. He was also
misidentified as “Steve” in
the second paragraph. We
regret the errors.

letters

CHAGALL

(3
13) 963-6255 | www.dumoart.com
409 East Jefferson Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226

BID IN THE
OCTOBER
AUCTIONS

FREDERICK GORE

A THREE DAY EVENT

EAMES

ROBERT NATKIN

MARSHALL
FREDERICKS

ESTATE
JEWELRY

FIND THESE LOTS
AND MUCH MORE
AT LIVE.DUMOART.COM

October 1
2, 1
3, & 14