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.

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